China’s ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, has told the UN Security Council that the US has “seriously violated the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq” by carrying out air strikes on both countries over the weekend, Al Jazeera reports.

“The United States says it does not seek to create conflicts in the Middle East or anywhere else, but in fact it is doing the opposite. The relevant military actions are undoubtedly causing new turbulence in the region and further intensifying conflicts,” he said.