Tomahawk Missiles and the Shayrat Airbase Strike: The Truth Behind the Curtain
The effectiveness of the U.S. missile strike against the Shayrat airbase in Syria on April 7, 2017, has been a subject of debate. Reports indicated that only about 23 out of the 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles hit their intended targets, causing minimal damage to a handful of aircraft. This article delves into the details of the strike, targeting considerations, and the aftermath.
Assessment of the Strike
According to reports, the U.S. military launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles in response to a chemical weapons attack allegedly carried out by the Syrian government. The strike was aimed at various targets, including aircraft and storage areas. However, only about 23 missiles successfully hit their intended targets. Reports suggest that the attack destroyed around six MiG-23 aircrafts among the reported damage.
Targeting and Defenses
To determine the effectiveness of the strike, we would start by considering air defenses. If our goal is to ensure hitting 15 targets, we could send two Tomahawk missiles per target, making a total of 30 missiles. Given that air defenses can presumably shoot down about 30 missiles, we would need to send 60 missiles to ensure at least 30 hits. Strategic optimization can often reduce this number, but it underscores the challenges faced in such an operation.
In the case of the Shayrat airbase strike, the actual outcome was far from ideal. The strike targeted an airbase that, many argue, was more of a junkyard. Many of the missiles either missed the base entirely or did not hit any valuable targets. The success rate of the strike was laughably low, and the reported damage was minimal, focusing on stockpiled aircraft and outdated weaponry.
Impact of the Strike
Independent assessments conducted by organizations such as ImageSat International and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights provide more insight into the aftermath of the strike. According to ImageSat International, satellite images of the airbase 10 hours after the strike showed hits on 44 targets, including some that were hit by more than one missile. Among the targets struck were 5 SA-5 missile batteries, indicating significant damage to Syria's air defenses.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported extensive damage to hangars, a fuel depot, and an air defense base. Al-Masdar News stated that 15 fighter jets were damaged or destroyed, and the destruction of fuel tankers caused multiple explosions and a large fire. High-resolution photographic databases, such as Lost Armours, have documented 10 destroyed aircraft at the Shayrat airbase, further validating these reports.
Consequences and Criticisms
The strike did not live up to its intended strategic objectives, as described by Russia. It did not significantly cripple the Syrian military's capabilities. Instead, it highlighted the challenges of precision in such missile strikes. Reports indicated that Syria lost five technicians and 9 children and 6 women were killed when one missile destroyed an apartment building.
The strike also garnered criticism due to the supposed intact capture of three Tomahawk missiles, which presented questions about the actual destruction capabilities of the missile strike. The use of such heavily armed and expensive missiles to destroy junked military planes in a junkyard raises serious questions about the strategic wisdom of the operation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Shayrat airbase strike of April 7, 2017, was a technologically advanced but strategically questionable operation. The success rate of the target hits was dismally low, and the reported damage was minimal, focusing on outdated stockpiled aircraft. The operation highlighted the challenges of precision in missile strikes and the need for better targeting strategies.
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