Strikes on Syria have had 'significant' impact: UK defence minister

British Prime Minister Theresa May needed to act with speed when she ordered a missile attack on Syria and she will update parliament on Monday, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told BBC radio.

Britain joined the United States and France on Saturday in what May cast as a "limited and targeted" strike.

All crews from the Royal Air Force Tornado jets returned safely, Williamson said. When asked if there would be more military action against Syria, Williamson said he thought the Western strikes had so far had sufficient effect. 

He earlier told LBC radio that the strikes have had a significant impact on what the government of President Bashar al-Assad can do in the future.

When asked if the West was now in a new Cold War with Russia, Williamson said relations with Moscow were at a low point but he wanted the Kremlin to use its influence with Assad to end the Syrian civil war.