Syria, Iran slam US strategy in fighting militants
Source: Associated Press
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian and Iranian officials criticized the Obama administration on Thursday for excluding them from an international coalition coming together in the battle against the Islamic State group, while a state-run Syrian daily warned that unauthorized U.S. airstrikes on Syria may trigger the "first sparks of fire" in the region.
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Syrian Minister for Reconciliation, Ali Haider, warned that "any action without the approval of the Syrian government is an aggression on Syria." Speaking to reporters Thursday, he said international law dictates that any military action needs Damascus' approval, and should also be coordinated with the government.
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"I wonder how an international coalition can be formed and Syria, which is targeted by terrorism in depth, is shunned aside?" Syrian lawmaker Sharif Shehadeh told The Associated Press in Damascus. He said violating Syrian sovereignty will have "negative repercussions on regional and international security." He did not elaborate.
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In Tehran, foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said the coalition has "serious ambiguities," the official IRNA news agency reported Thursday. She added that Iran has doubts about the seriousness of the coalition, accusing some unnamed members of supporting terrorism in Iraq and Syria.
Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/Syrian-opposition-welcomes-Obama-s-announcement-5747503.php?
Meanwhile other countries have pointed out that striking Syria without a UN Security Council Resolution is a violation of international law.
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