The question as to whether the United Kingdom should join our allies in the bombing of Daesh in Syria was one that I considered carefully prior to the 2 December vote when I supported the Government’s decision to extend our air operations from Iraq into Syria. Russian Federation has been mainly targeting the same moderate anti-Assad fighters that we wish to support (rather than bombing Daesh). “Just imagine how quickly this scourge could be eliminated, in a matter of literally months, if we were able to secure that kind of political resolution”, he said. “So the political process and the action against Daesh to keep us safe at home go hand in hand”. “Britain has so far given over £1 billion, and would contribute at least another £1 billion for post-conflict reconstruction to support a new Syrian Government when they emerge”.
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“The prime minister has been unable to explain why extending airstrikes to Syria will make a significant military impact on the existing campaign”, Corbyn said. The Paris attacks show what Isil terrorists are capable of, and tonight MPs from across Parliament have said with clarity and decisiveness: we will act to end their savagery before it is too late.
The strikes come just hours after UK Prime Minister David Cameron successfully passed a motion authorising strikes in Syria, with 397 MPs voting in favour, and 223 voting against. Lawmakers in the House of Commons rebuffed Cameron’s call for a strong response to allegations the Syrian government had used chemical weapons in the civil war.
“But we can not defeat ISIL with military action alone. The current proposal is a short term tactical measure which will neither strengthen our national security nor enhance the protection of innocent civilians from brutality and murder”.
German legislators on Wednesday were also debating on an expanded commitment, deploying high-tech intelligence jets over Syria and northern Iraq to help other countries’ forces pinpoint targets. The vote is widely seen as a rubber stamping of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s recent commitment to France’s Hollande.
The United States has already been pummeling the extremist group’s de facto capital of Raqqa.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced this week that 200 more special operators will conducts raids in Iraq and Syria and help free hostages.
President Barack Obama said in an interview with CBS News on Thursday night that the USA was safe from a terrorist attack by the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria, encouraging the American people to “feel confident” that they are safe and well-defended.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, retired Lt. General Michael Flynn, former US Special Forces commander in Iraq and Afghanistan, referred to America’s invasion of Iraq in 2003 as “a huge error” that lead to the creation of Daesh.
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“A second pair of GR4s patrolled over western Iraq, where they provided close air support to Iraqi forces engaged in combat with Daesh in and around Ramadi”.
