Ukraine invasion and Syrian bombing breach international law

On September 1, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan said “the invasion of Ukraine is against international law and must stop”, (RTÉ News). He made no reference to Nato’s role as one of the root causes of the conflict.

On September 22, the United States and its allies launched air strikes in Syria using using warplanes, armed drones and Tomahawk Cruise Missiles.

On Sepember 23, Minister Flanagan said of the bombing in Syria, “people will not be surprised. With regard to the air attacks, targets need to be particularly precise, and of course innocent civilians need to be spared”, (RTÉ News).

In contrast with his statement on Ukraine, the minister failed to mention that these air strikes contravene international law, because they do not have UN Security Council approval. His statement suggests the Irish Government approves such air strikes as long as they are “particularly precise”, regardless of breaches of international laws. His comment that “innocent civilians need to be spared” ignores the likelihood that innocent civilians have already been killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has stated that eight civilians including three children were killed in air strikes west of Aleppo (BBC News). In the meantime Irish ministers for foreign affairs and transport are almost daily approving the transit of US military and chartered aircraft carrying war materials and troops through Shannon.

Edward Horgan

Newtown

Casteltroy

Limerick.