Agencies, 14 April 2018– Several huge explosions were heard in Syria’s capital early Saturday, AFP’s correspondent there said, as US President Donald Trump announced strikes on the country were under way.

Syrian state television also reported a US attack on Syria, in coordination with France and Britain.

Trump said the strikes would aim to deter chemical weapons use by the Syrian government, a week after a suspected chemical attack outside Damascus left more than 40 people dead.

Over 100 missiles fired, ‘significant number’ intercepted
The US and its allies fired more than 100 cruise missiles at Syria, a significant number of which were intercepted by Syrian air defenses, the Russian defense ministry said Saturday.

“More than 100 cruise missiles and air-to-land missiles were fired by the US, Britain and France from the sea and air at Syrian military and civilian targets,” the ministry said in a statement quoted by RIA Novosti news agency, adding that “a significant number” were shot down by Syrian air defenses.