President Beji Caid Essebsi has already taken the bold step of signing a controversial counter-terrorism law that dramatically increases state surveillance. Rights groups say that the move is neither productive nor does it respect civil freedoms.

Alongside claims for justification from the Trump administration, similar rhetoric featured in statements from French and British leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron claimed there was no doubt Syria was responsible for a chemical attack on civilians, in gross violation of international law.