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President Trump says the strikes are intended to deter the use of chemical weapons, which the Syrian government is accused of using on civilians in Douma, a suburb of Damascus. USA TODAY

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The U.S. led airstrikes in a coordinated attack with U.K. and French allies against the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, President Trump announced Friday night.

Here's what we know about the attack:

What happened?

Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said precision missile strikes targeted three areas of Syria: a scientific research center near Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs and a storage facility and command post near Homs. Dunford said there was some "activity" by Syrian surface-to-air missiles, but there were no reports of U.S. or allied casualties. 

Raw video footage and images from Syria show missiles darting through the sky during the attack. 

When?

Friday night, President Trump said he ordered the missile strikes against the regime in a coordinated attack with U.K. and French allies. It was a predictable move, considering Trump made threats earlier in the week. 

Why did the U.S. strike?

Trump said the strikes were intended to deter the use of chemical weapons like the attack on civilians in the Syrian town of Douma last week. 

Syria has denied using chemical weapons but Friday night, the White House released what it said was "a significant body of information" that pointed to the use of chlorine gas — and possibly also the deadly nerve agent sarin. That evidence includes victim statements, images of barrel bomb fragments, and reliable reports of Syrian government helicopters in the area.

More: Syria conflict explained: How did we end up here?

From U.S. strike to Assad chemical attack: Destruction in Syria
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Damascus is seen as the U.S. launches an attack on
Damascus is seen as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons.  HASSAN AMMAR/AP
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Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, joined by Joint Chiefs
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, joined by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, speaks at the Pentagon, Friday, April 13, 2018, on the U.S. military response, along with France and Britain, in response to Syria's chemical weapon attack on April 7.  CAROLYN KASTER/AP
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Smoke rises after airstrikes targeting different parts
Smoke rises after airstrikes targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria, early Saturday, April 14, 2018.  HASSAN AMMAR/AP
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This photograph obtained from the Twitter account of
This photograph obtained from the Twitter account of French Defense Minister, Florence Parly, shows French military aircraft launching early April 14, 2018, as western strikes hit Syrian military bases and research centers in and around the capital and the country's center, a monitor said, as the US, France, and Britain announced a joint operation.  FRENCH DEFENCE MINISTER FLORENCE, AFP/Getty Images
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From left, Air Vice Marshall Gavin Parker, Defense
From left, Air Vice Marshall Gavin Parker, Defense Attache British Embassy, Brigadier General Jean-Pierre Montegu, France Defense Attache, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford participate in a news briefing at the Pentagon, Friday, on the U.S. military response, along with France and Britain, in response to Syria's chemical weapon attack.  Carolyn Kaster, AP
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This image made from video shows a fighter jet taking
This image made from video shows a fighter jet taking off from Akrotiri military British Royal Air Force Base, Cyprus, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Fighter jets were seen taking off from a British Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Cyprus early on Saturday morning. Their destination was not revealed. The jets took off from Akrotiri Military Base, Cyprus, ahead of US President Donald Trump's announcement that the US, France and Britain together launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians and to deter him from doing it again.(  AP
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A fighter jet is shown landing at Akrotiri military
A fighter jet is shown landing at Akrotiri military British Royal Air Force Base, Cyprus, in a video frame grab, Saturday, April 14, 2018.  AP
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Smoke rises after airstrikes targeting different parts
Smoke rises after airstrikes targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria, early Saturday.  Hassan Ammar, AP
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Smoke rises after airstrikes in the Syrian capital
Smoke rises after airstrikes in the Syrian capital Damascus.  Hassan Ammar, AP
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US President Donald Trump addresses the nation on the
US President Donald Trump addresses the nation on the situation in Syria April 13, 2018 at the White House in Washington, DC. Trump said strikes on Syria are under way.  MANDEL NGAN, AFP/Getty Images
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National Security Advisor John Bolton listens as US
National Security Advisor John Bolton listens as US President Donald Trump addresses the nation on the situation in Syria April 13, 2018 at the White House in Washington, DC.  MANDEL NGAN, AFP/Getty Images
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Missiles streak across the Damascus skyline as the
Missiles streak across the Damascus skyline as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital, early Saturday  HASSAN AMMAR/AP
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Damascus sky lights up with service to air missile
Damascus sky lights up with  p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} surface-to-air missile fire as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria.  HASSAN AMMAR/AP
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President Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception
President Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Friday, April 13, 2018, in Washington, about the United States' military response to Syria's chemical weapon attack on April 7.  Susan Walsh, AP
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White House chief of staff John Kelly arrives before
White House chief of staff John Kelly arrives before President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Friday, April 13, 2018, in Washington, about the United States' military response to Syria's chemical weapon attack on April 7.  Susan Walsh, AP
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President Donald Trump walks in to speak in the Diplomatic
President Donald Trump walks in to speak in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Friday, April 13, 2018, in Washington, about the United States' military response to Syria's chemical weapon attack on April 7.  Susan Walsh, AP
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This image released early April 8, 2018 by the Syrian
This image released early April 8, 2018 by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, shows a child receiving oxygen through respirators following an alleged poison gas attack in the rebel-held town of Douma, near Damascus, Syria. Syrian rescuers and medics said the attack on Douma killed at least 40 people. The Syrian government denied the allegations, which could not be independently verified. The alleged attack in Douma occurred Saturday night amid a resumed offensive by Syrian government forces after the collapse of a truce.  Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP
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This gallery contains graphic images.
This gallery contains graphic images.  -
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An image taken from a video released by the Syrian
An image taken from a video released by the Syrian civil defense in Douma shows a volunteer holding an oxygen mask over a child's face at a hospital following a reported chemical attack on the rebel-held town on April 8, 2018.  AFP/Getty Images
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his image released April 8, 2018 by the Syrian Civil
his image released April 8, 2018 by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, shows a rescue worker carrying a child following an alleged chemical weapons attack in the rebel-held town of Douma, near Damascus, Syria.  Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP
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An image taken from a video released by the Syrian
An image taken from a video released by the Syrian Civil Defense in Douma, Syria shows unidentified volunteers giving aid to children at a hospital following a reported chemical attack on the rebel-held town on April 8, 2018.  AFP/Getty Images
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Bodies of victims of an alleged chemical attack lie
Bodies of victims of an alleged chemical attack lie on the ground in Douma, Syria on April 8, 2018. According to media and local reports, at least 70 people died after a helicopter dropped a barrel bomb allegedly containing Sarin gas, a nerve toxin that kills within minutes of direct inhalation unless treated quickly with an antidote.  EMAD ALDIN, EPA-EFE
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    What are others saying about the attack?

    Russian President Vladimir Putin called the airstrikes an “act of aggression” and a “destructive influence on the entire system of international relations." Syria's President Bashar Assad announced that his country would respond, while Russia's ambassador to Washington warned of unspecified "consequences."

    British Prime Minister Theresa May said the attack "sends a clear message that the international community will not stand by and tolerate the use of chemical weapons."

    What happens next?

    It's hard to predict how any of the various forces in Syria will react. Opposition forces, including the Islamic State, might try to take advantage of a weakened Assad. Iran and Russia could step up their involvement in the country.

    Putin said Russia will call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations' Security Council.

    Trump said the the U.S. was prepared to continue the attacks until the Syrian regime stops using chemical weapons.

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