Mattis: Syria 'ill-advised' to use chemical weapons ever again

Last week's cruise missile strike took out 20 percent of Syria's operational military aircraft, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement Monday, adding that the "Syrian government would be ill-advised ever again to use chemical weapons." "The assessment of the Department of Defense is that the strike resulted in the damage or destruction of fuel and ammunition sites, air defense capabilities, and 20 percent of Syria's operational aircraft," Mattis said. "The Syrian government has lost the ability to refuel or rearm aircraft at Shayrat airfield and at this point, use of the runway is of idle military interest." -- More...