The annihilation of Syrian chemical weapons sites has been revealed in fascinating satellite images taken before and after a joint bombing campaign.

The US, UK and France obliterated three compounds where Bashar al-Assad's regime was suspected of developing, producing or storing weapons or precursors.

Satellite images show how buildings at the sites were wiped out by more than 100 missiles fired by fighter jets and warships.

The Western allies launched the strikes in retaliation for a suspected sarin and chlorine gas attack that Assad allegedly launched against his own people in rebel-held territory.
Smoke rises (right) from the bombed Barzeh research facility (pictured before at left) (
Image:
2018 DigitalGlob)
The Shinshar chemical weapons storage facility near Homs was obliterated (
Image:
2018 DigitalGlobe)
The Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker was also targeted (
Image:
2018 DigitalGlob)
The Scientific Studies and Research Centre in Barzeh was reduced to rubble (
Image:
AFP)

Buildings at the three sites were reduced to smouldering mounds of rubble in the aftermath of the bombing campaign in which the US, UK and France used some of the most powerful weapons in their arsenals.

Smoke is seen rising from the bombed-out Barzeh research facility in suburban Damascus, while scorched or bare earth is visible at the other targets.

The three bases targeted were the Barzeh Research and Development Centre in greater Damascus, the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility, west of Homs, and the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Bunker Facility.
British jets hit the Him Shinshar storage site near Homs (
Image:
AFP)
More than 100 missiles were fired at three Syrian regime sites (
Image:
AFP)
The US says the strikes "crippled" Syria's chemical weapons programme (
Image:
AFP)

Four British Tornado GR4 jets, based in Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, destroyed the chemical weapons storage facility with eight Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

The missile is hailed as the "most advanced" weapon of its kind.

The Americans deployed B-1B Lancer bombers and also launched missiles from the Monterey warship, the John Warner submarine and two other warships.
A Tomahawk missile is launched from a US warship towards Syria (
Image:
AFP)
Four of Britain's Tornado jets were involved in the bombing raid (
Image:
AFP)
A Storm Shadow missile (front) similar to the ones fired by British jets (
Image:
AFP)

The US launched around 66 Tomahawk missiles and 19 joint air-to-surface stand-off missiles.

The French fired missiles from Mirage and Rafale fighter jets and four frigate warships, launching a total of 12 cruise missiles.

The Western allies have said they have no plans for further missile strikes, although US President Donald Trump has warned America is "locked and loaded" to strike again if Syria launches another chemical weapons attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Syria's most important ally, warned on Sunday that further air strikes would bring "chaos" to international relations.