The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the dead included some members of Iranian forces. Syria’s airforce shot down 8 missiles as the airport was attacked.

The missile attack came shortly after US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning over an apparent "chemical" attack in Douma, the last rebel-controlled town in an eastern suburb of Damascus. The Pentagon denied launching the attack but said it will closely follow the case. Meanwhile, Syria reiterated that the alleged chemical attack had been planned by the opposition.

The Red Crescent on Sunday said Syrian medical specialists have so far found no trace of chemical weapons having been used in Eastern Ghouta.