These attacks were in response of suspected chemical weapon attacks that were commited by President Bashar Asad. It definitely sent a strong message to Syria, but the biggest worry here is Russia's reaction to all of this. Tension has been growing and it could lead to some type of consequence but a 3rd world war seems like an awful stretch. I saw an article where Russia accused the UK of staging the chemical attack in Syria, but this accusation could be a way of making the attack on Syria seem unjust.