Russia, Iran: US Airstrikes Violate Syria’s Sovereignty

Local Editor

Russia and Iran criticized the US-led airstrikes against the so-called "Daesh" [ISIL] positions in Syria on Tuesday, saying they should have been agreed with Damascus.

The United States, Gulf states and Jordan carried out the first air and missile strikes on Daesh strongholds in Syria, without the consent of the Syrian government.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "Any such action can be carried out only in accordance with international law"

"That implies not a formal, one-sided 'notification' of airstrikes but the presence of explicit consent from the government of Syria or the approval of a corresponding UN Security Council decision," it added.

"Attempts to achieve one's own geopolitical goals in violation of the sovereignty of countries in the region only exacerbate tensions and further destabilize the situation," the Russian ministry said.

Similarly, Iran condemned the US-led strikes in Syria on Tuesday as a violation of the country's sovereignty.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was quoted as saying, "Any kind of military intervention in Syria without the demand of the government of this country and without abiding by international laws is not acceptable."

"War on terrorism cannot be used as a pretext to deny national sovereignty," he said, adding that Tehran would consult with Damascus and international actors including the United Nations about the strikes.

Ahead of Tuesday's US airstrikes in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the offensive should not be carried out without the Syrian government's permission, in a phone call with United Nations [UN] Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Putin will not attend a UN General Assembly that gathers in New York on Wednesday which is expected to focus much of its attention on the extremist advance in Iraq and Syria.

Meanwhile, the Western-backed Syrian opposition, which is fighting both the Syrian government and Daesh, welcomed the airstrikes.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team