A SINN FÉIN TD has condemned Saturday morning’s air strikes on Syria, describing them as ‘appalling’ and ‘unjustified’.
Sean Crowe, the party’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, also called on the Irish Government to increase its humanitarian response by supporting the Syrian people.
The reaction to the joint US, British and French air strikes from Irish politicians has been relatively quiet, with Dáil Éireann currently in recess until Tuesday.
However Deputy Crowe said on Saturday that he condemns the air strikes “in the strongest terms possible”.
The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound north of Damascus (Image: Louai Beshara / AFP / Getty Images)“Like most people waking up to this morning’s news I am saddened and appalled at these aerial attacks,” he said.
“There is nothing smart about this technology, it is designed to kill people on a massive scale and there is no justification for these attacks.
“I condemn this morning’s air strikes in Syria in the strongest terms possible.
“The US, Britain and France are not neutral, having armed and supported various protagonists.
“They have no credibility when it comes to peaceful settlements to conflicts in this region. They need to desist from their military interventionism.”
'Ireland can play a positive role'
Deputy Crowe added that the air strikes threaten to prolong the conflict in Syria, where civil war has raged since 2011.
“Intensification of the military conflict is clearly not a credible way to save Syrian lives,” added Crowe.
“The deployment of more Western forces in Syria, or any further bombing of that country, will not bring an end or shorten this conflict in any way.
“What is now needed is a lasting ceasefire in Syria to make way for a political solution to the conflict there.
Syrians wave the national flag and portraits of President Bashar al-Assad as they gather at Saadallah al-Jabiri Square in Aleppo to condemn the strikes (Image: Louai Beshara / AFP / Getty Images)“Inclusive dialogue with all parties is the only workable solution that will lead to a lasting settlement.
“I believe lreland, in view of our own difficult past can and should play a positive role now in promoting dialogue.
“The Irish Government also needs to increase its humanitarian response by supporting the Syrian people and by reaching its own targets for the resettlement and relocation of Syrian refugees to Ireland.”
The US, Britain and France launched their missiles after claiming a suspected chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Douma – which reportedly claimed 70 lives – was authorised by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has said the "limited and targeted strikes" were against suspected chemical weapons facilities in Syria.
