Western air strikes in Syria illegal: German parliament experts
The air strikes unleashed in Syria by Western allies in mid-April were a violation of international law, jurists at the German parliament said in a report 20 April.
‘The use of military force against a state, as a sanction against the violation of an international convention by this state, is an infringement of the prohibition of the use of violence in international law,’ said the Bundestag experts in a reply to a question filed by the far-left Die Linke party.
The Bundestag experts referred in particular to the UN declaration from their 1970 general assembly which stresses ‘the duty of States to refrain in their international relations from military, political, economic or any other form of coercion aimed against the political independence or territorial integrity of any State’.
The UN Security Council had also rejected armed retaliation, calling it ‘incompatible with the objectives and the principles’ of the United Nations.
The legal motive put forward by the UK, which joined in the air strikes alongside the US and France, was also ‘not convincing’ according to the Bundestag experts.
London said it was ‘both right and legal’ to launch strikes to alleviate humanitarian suffering.
But the experts said there were questions over ‘whether the military attacks are really appropriate to prevent further suffering’ in Syria.
On 14 April, the US, UK and France fired missiles meant as a response to what the trio of nations said was evidence Damascus had used chemical weapons a week earlier.
Purported footage of victims foaming at the mouth after the 7 April attack sparked an outcry and prompted the West to launch its biggest military action yet against Assad’s regime.
But the military action was carried out without the approval of the UN Security Council, where Assad’s ally Russia has a permanent seat and veto.
Germany did not join in the air strikes but Chancellor Angela Merkel called the military action ‘necessary and appropriate’.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Patria OPTIME and ILIAS: Orchestrating operational readiness across every domain]()
Patria OPTIME and ILIAS: Orchestrating operational readiness across every domain
Patria OPTIME is a sustainment concept that integrates MRO and lifecycle services into one solution, powered by the ILIAS digital defence platform
-
![US military seeks common controllers for drones and robotic systems]()
US military seeks common controllers for drones and robotic systems
US Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Special Operations Command initiatives signal demand for interoperable uncrewed systems control, creating opportunities for suppliers of hardware, software and integration services.
-
![“Start planning much earlier”: delivering defence support in an era of disruption]()
“Start planning much earlier”: delivering defence support in an era of disruption
In Conversation… The geopolitical landscape is increasingly uncertain, with the UK and its allies confronting the most unpredictable international environment for decades. To adapt, defence readiness must begin long before assets reach the front line, forging a resilient support enterprise that can thrive in a time of ongoing disruption, argue the partners of Team ORION.
-
![“Communicating at mission speed”: why data security is essential for operational success]()
“Communicating at mission speed”: why data security is essential for operational success
In conversation… Everfox’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dave Wajsgras and Managing Director, International, Colin McKinty discuss the critical importance of information security in defence, minimising insider risk and the company’s international growth strategy with Shephard’s Andrew White.
-
![“Engage with the operational problem”: how software innovation can boost UK defence]()
“Engage with the operational problem”: how software innovation can boost UK defence
In Conversation… Shephard’s Andrew White talks to Zafer Şen, CEO and co-founder of OBSS, about the future of command-and-control software in the age of artificial intelligence, and his company’s ambitions in the UK defence market.
