In a dramatic twist in the Syrian conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the firing of nearly 60 cans of Pepsi at a military installation just south of Homs.

The move comes in response to a horrific chemical attack carried out on civilians by the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which has drawn widespread international condemnation this week.

The extra large 500ml Pepsi cans were fired from a ship stationed in the Mediterranean, and targeted al-Shayrat airbase, from which the chemical weapon attacks are believed to have been launched.

The Pentagon says the US military action today was designed to “ease tensions” and “promote understanding,” and was entirely the President’s idea.

“It was an idea he got from watching TV, yes,” said a Pentagon spokesman. “We can’t elaborate any further as I’m sure you’ll appreciate, but he did say it was something he’d seen on the TV, yes.”

During the 2016 Presidential campaign, then-candidate Trump said he regularly watched television for foreign policy guidance.

“Well, I watch the shows,” he said, when asked where he gets his military advice. “I mean, I really see a lot of great – you know, when you watch your show, and all of the other shows, and you have the generals, and you have certain people.”

The President addressed the nation about the firing of the Pepsi cans just shortly after the news broke at 9pm Eastern Standard Time, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort.

“This is a wonderful resort,” he said. “Truly wonderful, some say, the best in the world. The golf here is fantastic, you wouldn’t believe it.”

Trump told a 25-minute anecdote about beating Rory McIlroy at golf, before addressing the military strike in more detail, saying “It really is, these chandeliers? You see these chandeliers? Michael, stand back a bit so they can see the chandeliers. There you go. Beautiful, aren’t they?”

He did not take questions.

Syrian military officials have confirmed the strike has killed five and wounded many more, after the victims made the mistake of drinking the Pepsi on offering.

Pepsi is a dangerous chemical weapon used to indiscriminately kill thousands across the developed world.