Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Rose Troup Buchanan

UK air strikes: Syria's state media claim British attacks against Isis are violation of international law

Syrian state media have claimed the UK’s decision to join the US-led coalition bombing the country is a violation of international law.

The House of Commons voted last night to extend air strikes against Isis over Syria after David Cameron urged MPs to do the “right thing” and claimed attacking Isis would help to keep Britain safe.

In the wake of the decision RAF Tornado jets were scrambled and bombed six targets in the Omar oilfields, Syria, alongside coalition aircraft.

The British PM was described by Al-Baath – a newspaper published by President Bashar al-Assad’s political party – as running a “PR campaign” to aid a “US-led show in violation of the UN charter.”

The official Syrian government newspaper Al-Thawra said the Commons had responded to Mr Cameron’s “lies” by “vaulting over international legitimacy as usual". 

Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s chief International correspondent, currently in Syria’s capital Damascus, said state media were asking: “Why didn’t Britain seek permission from the government in Damascus to enter the air campaign, just like Russia?”

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said the same news agency described Mr Cameron’s actions as “jumping over international legitimacy.”

The UN Secutity Council voted unanimously on 21 November for a resolution calling all member states to that can do so to take military action against Isis, which it described as an “evil death cult” in Syria and Iraq. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.