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Ed Horgan

Use of Shannon makes Ireland complicit in Afghan horrors, say Shannonwatch

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PEACE group Shannonwatch, which has been holding regular protests at the airport for years, has claimed that Ireland has violated its neutrality through the use of Shannon by troops that were on their way to and from Afghanistan.

“Ireland has been complicit in the US-led twenty-year war against Afghanistan by not only allowing US military to use Shannon Airport but by inviting the US Government to do so” said Shannonwatch spokesperson Edward Horgan.

“Even if we had never been a neutral country we should not allow any military forces to use Irish territory to wage illegal and unjustified wars. The US military use of Shannon should be ended immediately as the USA is still engaged in unjustified military actions in Syria, Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere.”

“Following the appalling attack on the US on September 11, 2001, the US launched a brutal invasion of Afghanistan in contravention of the UN Charter and without UN Security Council approval. This war was initiated partly on the basis of lies and half-truths.”

“The al-Qaeda terrorist hijackers in the September 11 attacks on the USA were from four countries, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Egypt. None of the al Qaeda terrorists who carried out the 9/11 attacks on the USA were based in Afghanistan, yet it suffered the brunt of the US’s punitive response.”

Afghanistan is now facing a humanitarian and human rights crisis, as the Taliban seize power following the departure of the US led occupying forces.

Mr Horgan said that Ireland needs to do more to help those affected by the crisis, and to stop the use of the airport. “Ireland needs to step up its support in response to the current Afghanistan displacement crisis. It also needs to stop supporting the overly militarised US foreign policy that leads to instability and chaos in every country it occupies. The Irish people have never supported the US military use of Shannon. Now is the time to end it.”

Owen Ryan

Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.

About Owen Ryan

Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.

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