(VOVWORLD) -Joint airstrikes by the US, the UK, and France on Syria to punish its government for allegedly using chemical weapons has caused a backlash in the international community. Military operations targeting a sovereign country is seen as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. The world community is seeking a diplomatic solution to end the violence and restore peace in Syria.
 A Research Center near Damacus was destroyed in US-led airstrikes. (photo: EPA)
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Early on Wednesday, the US-UK-France joint coalition force launched airstrikes on Syria. The operation neither lasted long nor caused many casualties, nor did much property damage, but it has heated the political arena for the past 3 days.
Military operations not a solution
Many countries say the airstrikes flouted international norms and standards. So far, suspected chemical weapon attack in Douma town, the stronghold of the opposition in eastern Ghouta, has not been verified.
Demonstrations occurred in Los Angeles, Portland, New York, and Washington DC to protest the US-led airstrikes on Syria. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting but came to no resolution. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged involved countries to practice restraint in such a dangerous situation and avoid any action to escalate tensions and worsen the lives of the Syrian people.
The results of the airstrikes have been reported differently by different news sources. The US said it dodged Syria’s air defense system and dedstroyed several key chemical program sites. Russia said Syria’s air defense system shot down almost all of the US rockets.
But dropping bombs on a sovereign country is unjustifiable. Syria is seeing a light of hope for peace after a long conflict.
Seeking a negotiation
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been urged to carry out a transparent, impartial, and accurate investigation in Syria and provide humanitarian aid. The international community is advocating a new negotiation to find a comprehensive solution for Syria. Middle East and Eastern European countries reiterated their support for international diplomatic solutions to end violence and restore peace in Syria. Austria has offered to mediate peace talks by the International Syria Support Group which first held talks in Vienna in 2015.
After the airstrikes, the US and its allies have returned to diplomacy. They submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council proposing an independent investigation of the suspected chemical weapon attack. Germany said it will work with France to begin a new negotiation format, to find a solution to the political conflict in Syria.
Given Syria’s complicated geo-political environment, the West’s intervention surely will cause a domino effect in the Middle East. All sides should negotiate and work together to resolve the situation based on the UN Charter and international conventions.