Belarus condemns coalition missile strikes on Syria
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus has released a statement in which it “vigorously condemned” missile strikes made on the territory of Syria on April 14 by the United States jointly with the United Kingdom and France.
“The situation in Syria has become an international armed conflict, which poses risks of uncontrolled escalation going beyond the frames of a region. We, therefore, call on all the parties involved to cease immediately application of armed force against other states and to look for ways to resolve conflicts at a negotiation table,” the statement read.
The Belarusian MFA also called for an immediate stop to the fighting in the region and to abide by international law.
“The use of forbidden weapons of mass destruction must not go unpunished. However, the response must be based on solid and proven facts and apply in firm compliance with the rules of international law. None of the above criteria was observed by those who made a strike on Syria today,” the statement read.
On Saturday, April 14, the U.S. Navy and Air Force together with the United Kingdom and France launched missiles at Syrian targets. The US claimed that the strike was aimed at facilities and warehouses involved in the development and manufacture of chemical weapons. Later, US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter that he “was satisfied” with the strike on Syria and thanked the Armed Forces of France and the United Kingdom for their support.
The strikes on the targets in Syria were also supported by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May, NATO’s General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Chairperson of the Council of Europe Donald Tusk and Chairperson of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. Representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also voiced their solidarity with the operation.