The Syrian government says four U.S. military helicopters bombed a civilian building on Sunday near the Iraqi border, killing eight people including a father with his four children and one woman.
The demonstration drew representatives of Syrian trade unions, as well as religious, public and student organizations. A crowd of demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Damascus, forcing it to close.
Washington has not officially confirmed or denied the raid. However, anonymous U.S. officials told Western media on Wednesday night that Sunday's operation had targeted the head of a Syrian network responsible for smuggling fighters and weapons into Iraq.
Protestors held placards saying "Down with American hegemony" and calling for the country to "respond to American aggression."
The Syrian government has appealed to the UN to prevent further U.S. attacks, and sent letters to the UN Secretary General and the head of the Security Council.
"Syria draws attention to this aggressive act and expects the UN Security Council and member countries to assume their responsibility by preventing a repetition of this dangerous violation," the letters said.
The country urged the UN Security Council "to hold the aggressor responsible for the deaths of innocent Syrian nationals."
Moscow has said it is "greatly concerned" over the incident, while France has urged both sides to show restraint.
Egypt called the U.S. operation a "serious violation of Syria's sovereignty," while Iraq has condemned the attack and said it has launched an investigation into the raid.
