London: Russia said on Thursday airstrikes against Islamist militants in Syria without a UN Security Council mandate would be an act of aggression, raising the possibility of a new confrontation with the West in coming weeks.
“The US President has spoken directly about the possibility of strikes by the US armed forces against ISIL positions in Syria without the consent of the legitimate government,” foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said. “This step, in the absence of a UN Security Council decision, would be an act of aggression, a gross violation of international law.”
China responded cautiously, saying the world should fight terror but the sovereignty of countries must be respected.
“China opposes all forms of terrorism, and upholds that the international community must jointly cooperate to strike against terrorism, including supporting efforts by relevant countries to maintain domestic security and stability,” Ms Hua told a daily news briefing when asked about Mr Obama’s comments.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has not ruled out military action against the ISIS in Syria, his spokesman said on Thursday after foreign secretary Philip Hammond said Britain would not take part in any airstrikes there.
German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told a press conference in Berlin that Germany has not been asked to take part in the airstrikes and would not be participating.
France, a key ally for the United States in the planned coalition, said it was ready to take part in airstrikes in Iraq, but its involvement in any military action in Syria would need to have international law behind it.
In Obama’s crosshairs
GOALS: Degrade the Islamic State group’s ability to operate, then ultimately to destroy the extremist organisation.
AIRSTRIKES: Systematic airstrike campaign against US irrespective of international borders.
SYRIAN REBELS: Train and arm moderate, Syrian opposition fighters who oppose both the Islamic State militants and Syrian President Bashar Assad.
MORE U.S. TROOPS: Send 475 more troops to Iraq to: embed with Iraqi troops as advisers; conduct intelligence ops, coordinate US military activities
PARTNERS: Build a broad coalition to unite against the militants.
LENGTH: No timeline for when the mission will be completed. It could take a number of years.
