The patriarchs of the three main Christian churches in Syria have condemned the “brutal aggression” from the United States, France and United Kingdom in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack by the government on Duma.

In a strong statement, the Syrian heads of the Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and Melkite-Greek Catholic churches criticised the “clear violation of the international laws and the UN Charter” and said it undermined the work of an independent commission of inquiry that was about to start its work in Syria.

“The allegations of the USA and other countries that the Syrian army is using chemical weapons and that Syria is a country that owns and uses this kind of weapon, is a claim that is unjustified and unsupported by sufficient and clear evidence,” they wrote.

“This brutal aggression destroys the chances for a peaceful political solution and leads to escalation and more complications. This unjust aggression encourages the terrorist organisations and gives them momentum to continue in their terrorism.”

The Patriarchs called on the Security Council of the United Nations to play its “natural role” in bringing peace rather than contribute to escalation of wars.