Syrian Armed Forces
As some 40,000 residents fled, Russian military police were deployed in the town.
The onslaught has been one of the fiercest of the civil war, now entering its eighth year.
Shunned by Western powers, the Syrian government is looking to friendly states to play a major role in rebuilding the country.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The White House calls it “self-defense,” and Russia has responded by threatening to shoot down American planes.
The move is retaliation for the U.S. shooting down a Syrian jet.
"Trump didn’t do anything he said he would do. The massacres continue.”
“The incident in Syria corresponds completely with Israel’s policy to act to prevent Iran’s smuggling of advanced weapons via Syria to Hezbollah.”
“Washington’s action created a threat to the lives of our servicemen who are fighting against terrorism."