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TAMPA (FOX 13) - As U.S. B-1 Bombers and Navy warships took part in air strikes on three Syrian targets, explosions lit up the night skies of Damascus.
The Pentagon called it a mission accomplished. But one local Syrian family characterizes it as something else.
“It’s more of like a slap on the wrist to Assad," said Hala Alkattan. "Because it’s like, 'Oh no, you can’t use chemical weapons but you can use violence, you can starve them, you can use missiles and air strikes against them,' but chemical weapons are a no? It’s an ongoing problem and it’s not going to end until the Assad regime is taken out."
Both Hala's mother, Hunada, and her husband left Damascus years ago. They left family behind to start a new life in America.
Hunada says the problem lies with Syrian President Bashar al Assad.
"Everything comes under his command," Hunada said. "He gives the orders, now you cannot imagine, this regime is like a circle around the president, he owns everything."
The Pentagon says it's confident the Syrian dictator is behind the latest string of chemical attacks that have killed civilians, including children.
Hunada says the murders are Assad’s response to opposition.
“Because [his people] said, 'No, we don’t want you anymore,'" she explained. "Because they’re fighting for their rights. He cannot accept anyone else in power except him or his circle.”
Hala spends time helping Syrian refugees who have found a new home in Tampa.
"No one voluntarily left, they all were forced to flee," she said. "They’re starting all over and they’re trying to assimilate to society here and the culture. Everything is back in Syria, but unfortunately, because of the situation they can never go back."
At this time, more than 250 displaced Syrian refugees are living in the Tampa area.