Assad: strikes only make Syria more keen to fight

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has offered his first response to the strikes that happened overnight, saying they have only strengthened his side's resolve to continue fighting against their opponents.

In comments made to Iranian president and ally Hassan Rouhani over the phone and published by Assad's office he said: "This aggression will only make Syria and its people more determined to keep fighting and crushing terrorism in every inch of the country."

Rouhani in response said: "The aggression will have destructive repercussions on the region," according to Syrian state news agency SANA.