Syrians defiant after US-led air strikes

AFP

Syrians in capital Damascus expressed support for the Syrian army on Saturday, in the wake of US-led air strikes on military targets.

Hundreds of people gathered at Umayyad Square at the center of Damascus early Saturday, shortly after the United States, France and Britain launched missiles targeting Syrian military sites in Damascus and the central province of Homs.

They chanted slogans in support of the Syrian army and waved the national flag in a show of defiance against Washington and its allies.

Ahmad Fadel, a university student, told Xinhua the strike will not break Syrians's spirits.

"This aggression will not break our determination and we want to tell all the conspirators that we will win through our army. We will win with our air defense and our people and leader. The Trump missiles will not break our spirit. His missiles will not scare us," Fadel said.

Ahmad Dawood, another university student, said he and his fellow students have faith in the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.

"We have won before and we will win today," Dawood said.

The Syrian state media said the Syrian air defense system intercepted 13 missiles in the nearly 50-minute attack.

The United States accuses Syria of using chlorine gas in an attack last week in the previously rebel-held Douma district near Damascus, and had warned of a military strike against Syrian Government forces.

The Pentagon said the targets of the Syria attack have been destroyed and the operation had ended, according to reports.

Syrian state news agency SANA called the attack "a flagrant violation of international law," adding that Syria responded to it the way it responds to terrorists on the ground.

The Syrian people and army will not be terrorized by the US missiles, it said.