The U.S. military's decision to launch 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles targeted the Shayrat airbase in Syria, following a chemical weapons attack in the town of Khan Shaykhun that had killed dozens. The missile strike was executed on the night of April 6, 2017, from Navy ships stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. President Donald Trump, citing the need to deter further chemical attacks on civilians, ordered the strikes. The operation aimed to destroy the airbase's ability to conduct additional chemical warfare while signaling U.S. resolve to respond to violations of international norms surrounding chemical weapons use.

In the aftermath, the U.S. justified military action as a necessary response to the Syrian government's actions and as part of a broader strategy to advocate for accountability. However, Russia, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, condemned the strike as an aggressive act that undermined diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian Civil War. Russian officials warned of significant repercussions on U.S.-Russia relations, perceiving the strikes as a direct threat to their military presence in Syria.

The missile attack is noteworthy not only for its immediate military objectives but also for its broader implications for geopolitical dynamics in the region. It was one of the first direct military actions taken by the United States against Assad's forces, representing a notable pivot in U.S. policy towards Syria. The strike also drew reactions from various international actors and sparked debates about the use of military force in conflict scenarios, particularly regarding sovereignty and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria.