Zakharova: US-led coalition targeting Syrian warplane is violation of UN Charter

Moscow – Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that targeting a Syrian warplane by the US–led coalition and the increase of the US military presence in areas southern Syria are a violation of the international law and the United Nations Charter, SANA reported.

“The Russian side considers these steps as a flagrant violation of the international law, principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and disrespect for the UN Charter,” Zakharova told reporters on Thursday.

“We demand a thorough investigation by the US command of the above mentioned incident and the necessary measures on preventing a repetition of such situations in the future,” she stressed.

 “Another violation of the international law by the US-led coalition is the deployment of additional US contingents, including the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System to At Tanf in southern Syria,” Zakharova said. “They actively step up their military presence in the southern areas of a sovereign Syria in violation of the international law,” she added.

Zakharova said that the countries of the region do not hide now that they are clearly influenced by various opposition groups, adding that these countries tried to affect the groups and prevent them from participating in Astana talks.

She affirmed that tensions between the Middle East countries must not influence the Syrian settlement process, noting that many groups realize the importance of the Astana peace process.”