ANKARA, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish government views U.S. missile strikes against a Syrian air base positively and significantly, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Friday.

"The regime should be punished in the international field. I hope the U.S. operation will contribute to peace. The UN should impose sanctions on the al-Assad regime until it is unable to harm its own people anymore," Kurtulmus said in an interview with private broadcaster Fox TV.

Turkey welcomes this action but the al-Assad regime must completely be punished in the international field, he added.

Late on April 6, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks on a potential military action in Syria, voicing the country's readiness to support.

"If an action will really be put forward, we are ready to do our part," Erdogan said.