U.S. missile strike on Syrian air base shocks Damascenes

Damascenes from all walks of life are shocked by the U.S. strike targeting a Syrian air base at Friday dawn, as Syrian army denies accusation of a toxic attack in Idlib province last Tuesday.

"This is a foreign intervention that we completely denounce," said Tamara, a Syrian university student.

Ahmad, a Syrian businessman, said that the U.S. policy in Syria has become clear to the public in this war-torn country, adding that Syria is a country of resistance and will continue to be so.

Nearly 60 Tomahawk missiles struck the air base, nearly destroying it completely, killing six Syrian soldiers, nine civilians, including four children, and destroying nine Syrian warplanes.

The U.S. administration said the attack on the air base comes in retaliation for the strikes by the Syrian air force on the town of Khan Sheikhoun.

Activists accused the Syrian army of firing toxic gas on the town, killing 70 people, while the Syrian army said the strike targeted an arm depot containing toxic gas, blaming the rebels for storing such materials.

Commenting on the attack, the presidential office in Syria released a statement condemning the U.S. missile attack as "outrageous and irresponsible."

It noted that this aggression has only increased the determination of Syria in striking the terrorists. Endit