Russia pledges to strengthen Syria's air defense system

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Moscow will strengthen Syria's air defense system following the U.S. missile strikes on a Syrian air base, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

Ministry spokesman Major Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Russia will help the Syrian armed forces strengthen and improve the effectiveness of its air defense system, according to Russian news agency TASS.

The U.S. fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at Shayrat Airbase American officials believe was used to carry out a deadly chemical attack Tuesday, the Pentagon confirmed.

The chemical attack in Syria's northwestern Idlib province killed 100 people and injured around 500 others.

Konashenkov said that according to Russian data, "only" 23 of the U.S. missiles hit their target, and what happened to the remainder is unknown.

He called the effectiveness of the U.S. strike "extremely low".

Konashenkov also said Russia expects the U.S. to provide evidence that the Syrian army used chemical weapons.