Lavrov: U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria violate international law

© RIA Novosti. Sergey Pyatakov

According to the minister, overcoming the accumulated contradictions is only possible through the joint efforts of the international community, deepening of dialogue and partnership.

Airstrikes by the US-led coalition against the Islamic State group in Syria without the approval of the country's official government contradict international law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

"[We are] Convinced that the fight against terrorism and extremism should be built on a solid foundation of international law under the auspices of the UN Security Council. The practice of airstrikes on the IS on Syrian territory unilaterally without the agreement of the Syrian government does not comply with these principles," Lavrov stated.

"To ensure success in the fight against terrorism it is necessary to give high priority not only to the military threat posed by the jihadist groups, but also to the roots of this phenomenon," he added.

According to the minister, overcoming the accumulated contradictions is only possible through the joint efforts of the international community, deepening of dialogue and partnership.

The international anti-IS coalition launched by the United States in September is currently conducting air strikes against IS militants both in Syria and Iraq. In late September, Syrian President Bashar Assad said his country is ready to back international actions against the Islamic State on its territory as long as they are in line with the legal framework. He added that Syria should be notified first of any strikes before they are conducted.

The IS is a Sunni jihadist group that has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012. In June, it launched an offensive in Iraq, seizing vast areas in both countries and announcing the establishment of an Islamic caliphate on the territories under its control.