BEIJING: China has accused the United States of exacerbating the conflict in the Middle East with its retaliatory attacks in Iraq and Syria, reported German news agency (dpa).
The actions of the US in the region are reinforcing the “vicious circle of violence and counter-violence,” said the Chinese representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, Chinese state television reported on Tuesday.
Beijing called on the parties involved to remain calm, respect the territorial integrity of the countries and “stop illegal military operations”.
On Feb 3, the US military struck more than 85 targets in Syria and Iraq. According to the US, the targets included command centres, intelligence sites and weapons depots used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and militias affiliated with them.
The US was responding to an attack by pro-Iranian militias in Jordan on Jan 28, in which three US soldiers were killed and numerous others injured.
The Chinese government — which maintains good relations with countries in the region, including Iran — wants to position itself neutrally in the Middle East conflict and is calling for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians and shipping routes.
However, Washington is calling for China to use its influence in the region to stop the supply of weapons to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. — BERNAMA-dpa
