Syria has become a game and civilians are paying the ultimate price

 After 48 hours of criticising the international community’s silence following the chemical attack in Idlib, the world woke today to find the US had fired 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles on the Shayrat airbase which is controlled by the Syrian government. It was from there the chemical attack was launched on Tuesday, according to US and Turkish official sources.

The global shock at the sudden action is understandable given that Trump has historically condemned planned strike on Syria, however his decision could have been anticipated if his speeches and those of Turkish and Russian officials were understood correctly yesterday.

In a television interview late yesterday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Trump’s condemnation of the chemical attack should turn into action, adding that Ankara will do whatever it has to do.

Russia’s reaction made it ever more evident that it too was aware the strikes were coming. This was later confirmed by Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis who said the US military had “multiple” conversations with Russian forces before the strike.

Read: US informed Russia ahead of cruise missile strikes on Syria base

USS Ross (DDG 71) fires a tomahawk land attack missile 7 April 2017. The US fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian military airbase American officials believe was used to carry out a deadly suspected chemical attack, the Pentagon confirmed. [Robert S. Price/US Navy]

Thought the Syrian Arab News Agency announced that the US strike killed six people, media sources close to Al-Assad claimed the site had been evacuated prior to the assault.

America was aiming its missiles at an important military base which housed warplanes and the air units which were responsible for the chemical attack; however reports claimed the Russian military vacated the area just before the attack. If Syrian forces had also cleared the area, as sources have claimed, then Russia may be playing the war on both fronts.

Read: US lawmakers demand details of broader Syria strategy

Though Trump made the right decision, taking an important step, he did it the wrong way. No one is sure of the US’ strategy with Senate members demanding Trump make this clear. On his part, Erdogan will support the US, but only if its plan fits his own vision for the region.

A multidimensional chess game is now playing out in which civilians are paying the ultimate price.

With a businessman heading one corner, a former KGB officer controlling  the other and a stubborn Syrian regime which is enduring, this “game” is definitely worth watching.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.