US bombing of Syria violates int’l law

The US-led airstrikes inside Syria without the permission of Damascus are a “violation of international law” and Syria’s “national sovereignty,” a political commentator in Washington says.

The political agenda and ideology of senior US officials in the Obama administration has fueled the crisis in Syria through the support of ISIL and other al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists, said William Jones of the Executive Intelligence Review.

Jones told Press TV on Wednesday that if the US and its allies were serious about defeating the ISIL terrorist group, they would have cooperated with the Syrian government rather than show hostility.

Recent airstrikes by the United States and Arab coalition warplanes is “really a violation of international law,” he said. “It’s a very messy situation in addition to being a violation of national sovereignty.”

On Monday, the US began a sustained air war against ISIL targets in Syria with the help of some Persian Gulf Arab states. It is after forming a broad coalition against the insurgents while leaving Damascus out of the equation.

Damascus has said any strikes by foreign forces against militant strongholds in Syria must be carried out with the approval of the Syrian government.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that Washington informed the Syrian government in advance of airstrikes, but there was no strategic coordination with Damascus.

On Tuesday, US military officials said the bombing of Syria was only the beginning of a prolonged and sustained campaign that will continue for years.

AHT/DT