Pentagon: US took care not to harm Russian aircraft at Syrian base
Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said Friday that the Tomahawks attacked “aircraft, hardened aircraft shelters, petroleum and logistical storage, ammunition supply bunkers, air defense systems, and radars” at Shayrat airfield. “The places we targeted were the things that made the airfield operate. It’s the petroleum facilities, it’s the aircraft radar, what they use for take-off and landing, as well as air-defense radar, as well as the aircraft.” Davis said. ”
Davis emphasized the precautions the US military took to avoid killing Russian personnel occupying their own compound at Shayrat, citing the early-morning time of the attack and the choice of targets unlikely to have people inside. All the aircraft attacked were Syrian, Davis said, with Russian aircraft unharmed.
DEBKAfile: No attempt was made to send the advanced Russian missiles posted on the Syrian Mediterranean coast to intercept the Tomahawk missiles heading for the Syrian air field. Military experts have often advised against attacking Assad because of their presence.
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