The US missile strike against a Syrian air base in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack is a knee-jerk reaction which will lead to more suffering on the ground, a Maltese humanitarian worker has warned. 

The overnight US strike is not accompanied by a political plan which could lead to a stop in the seven-year violence in Syria, Karl Schembri from the Norwegian Refugee Council told Times of Malta.

"A knee-jerk reaction will only lead to an escalation in fighting," said Mr Schembri, who has worked in war-ravaged countries like Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Launching 60 missiles during the night will only lead to a bigger conflict escalation

The NRC said Tuesday's chemical attack underscores the need to give protection to civilians fleeing Syria, at a time when all borders are closed and wealthier nations are closing their doors too.

Mr Schembri concurred: "When we see the chemical attack and the US reaction it's going to become even more difficult for basic essential humanitarian aid to reach people who are dying of hunger, without medicine, people who have no access to doctors and other forms of assistance. We're talking about children, the elderly, the vulnerable, who are still being attacked after seven years."

He insisted the solution lay in holding discussions, not in military interventions.  

"Launching 60 missiles during the night will only lead to a conflict escalation... and in the middle, you have civilians who have nothing to blame."



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