The US has launched 59 tomahawk cruise missiles targeting al-Shayrat military airfield in Homs, in western Syria, according to NBC News citing officials.

The development comes within hours of US President Donald Trump hinting at a possible military action against the country’s President Bashar al-Assad, following a chemical attack on Tuesday in the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun which was blamed on the Syrian regime.

The missiles have reportedly hit aircraft and infrastructure including the runway, in what seems like a U-turn from what the US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said last week that removing Assad was no longer a US priority.