The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine condemned any Western intervention in the Syrian conflict, following an announcement by the United States that it was close to launching strikes against the country. In a statement, the group said “We as an Islamic resistance movement do not accept any foreign aggression against any Arab or Muslim country.  In our religion it is not allowed to use the help of a foreign coloniser against the sons of our nation and homelands, whatever the circumstances and the justifications are.” The movement added that, “Since the beginning of the events in Syria, we announced that we support a political solution which stops the bloodshed, achieves the aspirations of the Syrian people, preserves the unity of the people and the territory, and protects Syria from collapsing and from chaos.” The statement concluded that, “The destiny of Syria and its options are a Syrian affair that should be decided by Syrians themselves, without any external interference by any party.”