Mattis: ‘Clearly, the Assad Regime Did Not Get the Message’

RUSH EXCERPT:

MATTIS: "Earlier today, President Trump directed the U.S. Military to conduct operations in consonance with our allies to destroy the Syrian regime chemical weapons research development and production facility. Tonight, France, the united Kingdom, and the United States conducted an attack. Clearly, the Assad regime did not get the message last year. This time, our allies and we have struck partners. Together we have sent a clear message to Assad and his murderous attendance that they should not perpetrate another chemical weapons attack for which they will be held accountable. The 70 nations in the defeat ISIS coalition remains committed to defeating ISIS in Syria. The strike tonight separately demonstrates international resolve to prevent chemical weapons from being used on anyone, under any circumstance, with international law. I want to emphasize of the strikes are directed at the Syrian regime. In conducting these strikes we have gone to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties. This is a time for all civilized nations to urgently unite, ending the Syrian civil war by supporting the nation -- united nation process. And accorded with the chemical weapons convention prohibiting the use of such weapons, we urge responsible --to condemn the Assad regime. Preventing chemical weapons for being used again. We will get a military update."