The “specialized expeditionary targeting force” will conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence, conduct assassinations and capture Islamic State group leaders.
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David Cameron is an active supporter of taking military action against ISIS, stating that ISIS has become a major threat to British citizens.
After a ten and a half hour, emotionally charged debate, British lawmakers passed the military action by a vote of 397 to 223.
The British public is still divided on the issue, with protesters having gathered outside the parliament building on the night of vote.
“It is complex and it is hard what we are asking our pilots to do, and our thoughts should be with them and their families as they commence this important work”, he added.
Britain’s participation is unlikely to alter the military balance in Syria, though its military does bring precision-guided Brimstone missiles that are considered an asset for the U.S.-led alliance.
Asked if the air strikes would continue for as long as four years, Mr Hammond said: “I hope it won’t be four years, but I caution that it isn’t going to be months”.
66 Labour MPs backed plans for RAF jets to join the coalition mission against Islamic State. It will also stand in the way of Britain’s pledge that it will now also focus on finding a negotiated way out of this war.
The president also defended the United States’ current strategies, including its membership in a 65-country coalition against ISIS and local partnerships within Iraq and Syria.
The vote comes after USA foreign minister John Kerry urged North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to intensify the fight against IS. The country had been wrestling with a decision to join France in expanding its military action.
Bearing down on Islamic State will require patience and persistence, David Cameron has warned, after RAF war planes mounted their first strikes against the extremists in their Syrian heartlands.
Up to 50 Labour MPs have been tipped to vote with the Government – including shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, resulting in the highly-unusual scenario of the two keynote Opposition speeches coming from opposite sides of the debate. “There is no place whatsoever in the Labour Party for anybody who has been abusing those members of the Labour Party who choose to vote with the government on this resolution”, he said.
The choice likely guaranteed Cameron a victory. He said he could not “identify a single terrorist sympathiser” on the list of MPs opposed to strikes.
Repeatedly pressed to apologize Wednesday, Cameron declined while saying he respected those with different views.
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Speaking to “CBS This Morning” co-host Norah O’Donnell Wednesday in the White House Cabinet Room, Mr. Obama said that while he sticks to his promise of no “Iraq-style invasion”, military intervention is necessary to defeat the terror group.
This means British Royal Air Force fighter jets could be flying over Syria within days or even hours. Britain, he said, should focus on peace talks, rather than a bombing campaign that would lead to “the deaths of innocents”.
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That percentage will not be reduced significantly by the entry of Britain into the air war.
