The Anthony Albanese government should withdraw its public support for the latest United States air strikes on Iraq and Syria, according to Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR).
鈥淭he attacks on 85 targets, without a United Nations Security Council Resolution, are a gross breach of international law,鈥 spokesperson Dr Alison Broinowski said on February 6. She said they could lead to a regional war.
鈥淭he governments of Iraq and Syria have criticised the US military action as a violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sadly, these views have hardly been reported.鈥
Broinowski said if United States President Joe Biden really does not want conflict in the Middle East, or anywhere else in the world, he 鈥渃ould readily prevent it鈥.
AWPR said Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles 鈥渉as foolishly offered Australian support for the bombing raids, despite the fact that they breach the UN Charter鈥.
It said the US military forces in Syria are an illegal occupying force. The US military have been deployed to Iraq despite that country鈥檚 parliament passing a resolution calling on the government to end all foreign troop presence.
鈥淚n recent days, the Iraqi Prime Minister has repeatedly called for US troops to be withdrawn,鈥 Broinowski said.
AWPR said US support for Israel鈥檚 genocide in Gaza has provoked the assaults on its forces in Syria, Iraq and Jordan.
Broinowski said Labor 鈥渋s failing to uphold its legal commitment under Article 2 of the United Nations Charter with respect to the settling of international disputes by peaceful means鈥.
She said that it is unclear how involved Australia鈥檚 Defence Forces are in the latest attacks, and that Australians have a right to know.
Australia鈥檚 involvement in military attacks against the Houthis in Yemen 鈥渁lso appears to be a breach of international law鈥.
AWPR is calling on Labor to 鈥渃omply with both the spirit and the letter of the UN Charter", 鈥渉onour its commitments under the Genocide Convention鈥, pressure the US 鈥渢o end the illegal strikes in Iraq, Syria and Yemen and to obtain a permanent ceasefire in Gaza鈥.
It wants ADF personnel to be 鈥渞emoved from positions which may be involved in illegal activities associated with the US military鈥 and for Parliament to be provided with 鈥渁 full account鈥 on 鈥淎ustralia鈥檚 support for and involvement in the illegal, or potentially illegal, military activities in the Middle East鈥.