Syrian Foreign Minister Says Russia's Airstrikes Not Violation of Sovereignty

Edited by Ivan Martínez
2015-10-06 15:13:52

Pinterest
Telegram
Linkedin
WhatsApp

Damascus, October 6 (RHC)-- Russia's anti-terror campaign in Syria is not in violation of Syria's sovereignty as it is being conducted in coordination with the Damascus government, according to the Syrian foreign minister.

"Russia acted strictly under the United Nations Charter and international laws. It came to Syria at the request of its government," Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said on Monday. "This step is not infringing upon Syria's independence, and Russia is acting within the framework of Syria's sovereignty," he added.

Moscow began its military campaign against terrorists in Syria on September 30th upon a request from the Damascus government, shortly after the upper house of the Russian parliament gave President Vladimir Putin the mandate to use military force in Syria.

On October 2nd, Putin said one of the key objectives of Moscow's air campaign in Syria is to preserve the Arab country's territorial integrity. Muallem also noted that Moscow's airstrikes in Syria are criticized by "those countries that were behind sparking the conflict in Syria, namely the United States, France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar."

The U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey released a joint statement on Friday, criticizing the Russian airstrikes that they said had not targeted Daesh positions. Russia, however, has dismissed the allegations against its military offensive, saying its airstrikes are targeting all terrorist groups, including Daesh and al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Echoing Russia's remarks, the Syrian minister also stressed that all terrorist groups operating in Syria, including Daesh, the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham, are targeted by the raids.

In a late Monday statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said its fighter jets had carried out strikes on 10 Daesh facilities in Syria earlier in the day.



Commentaries


MAKE A COMMENT
All fields required
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
captcha challenge
up