Syria intercepted most of missiles launched by US, allies: Russia

Most of the missiles fired in Syria by the UK, US, and France as part of punitive action against Bashar al-Assad government in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks were intercepted by Syrian air defense systems, RT, Russia international television network, quoted Russian Defense Ministry as saying.

The RT said Russian air defense units were not involved in repelling the attack.

The Russian Defence Ministry said Syria's Al-Dumayr Military Airport, located 40 km north-east from Damascus, was attacked by 12 cruise missiles, adding that all missiles were intercepted by Syrian air defense systems.

Syria deployed Soviet-made surface-to-air missile systems, including S-125 (NATO reporting name: SA-3 Goa), S-200 (SA-5 Gammon), 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) and Buk, it said.

Earlier, the United States, Britain and France carried out a wave of punitive strikes against Bashar al-Assad´s Syrian regime in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks that President Donald Trump branded the "crimes of a monster."

As Trump embarked on a White House address to announce the action -- taken in defiance of Russia´s threat to respond -- explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus, signalling a new chapter in a brutal seven-year-old civil war.