David Cameron to set out case for bombing IS militants in Syria

David Cameron will try to convince MPs that British jets and drones should be striking so-called Islamic State targets in Syria when he addresses the House of Commons on Thursday.

The Prime Minister wants to see Britain join the likes of the United States and France in bombing the jihadist group.

The RAF is already hitting IS targets in Iraq, but Mr Cameron believes they need to attack "the head of the snake" in Syria.

  • What can we expect to hear from the Prime Minister?

Mr Cameron has promised to set out a "comprehensive strategy" for dealing with IS in his response to a report by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC), which raised a series of concerns about the prospect of further UK military intervention in the region.

He thinks that the RAF's highly-accurate Brimstone missiles offer a capability which its allies lack.

Britain is currently striking targets in Iraq, but not Syria. Credit: PA

Mr Cameron will warn Britain should not "sub-contract its security to other countries" while terrorists plan and orchestrate threats against the country.

He will say that Britain should not allow IS a "safe haven" in Syria and that the longer the group is allowed to grow, "the greater the threat it will pose".

“We need a comprehensive response which seeks to deal with the threat that ISIL poses to us directly, not just through the measures we are taking at home, but by dealing with ISIL on the ground in the territory that it controls," Mr Cameron is expected to say in response to the committee report.

"It is in Syria, in Raqqa, that ISIL has its headquarters, and it is from Raqqa that some of the main threats against this country are planned and orchestrated.

"It is wrong for the United Kingdom to sub-contract its security to other countries, and expect the aircrews of other nations to carry the burdens and the risks of striking ISIL in Syria to stop terrorism here in Britain.

“That is why I believe that we should now take the decision to extend British airstrikes against ISIL into Syria, as an integral part of our comprehensive strategy to degrade ISIL and reduce the threat it poses to us."

The Government's plan will reflect the need to:

  • Maintain counter-terrorism capabilities to protect the UK

  • Advance a political settlement

  • Deliver a Syrian government that credibly represents all of the Syrian people

  • Defeat IS through military and wider action

  • Continue to provide humanitarian support to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people

  • Plan for the stabilisation and reconstruction of Syria

  • Work with international partners to mitigate the impact of IS on the stability of the region

The United States has led strikes against IS in Syria. Credit: Reuters

  • Why is Mr Cameron making the case for air strikes now?

The Paris terror attacks of November 13, which left 130 people dead, have strengthened the Prime Minister's resolve to strike at the heart of IS.

Since the attacks, and the downing of a Russian passenger jet over Egypt, other nations including France, Russia and the US have pledged to take stronger action against the group.

The Paris attacks sparked calls for stronger action against IS. Credit: Reuters

The UN Security Council called on all "able states" to join the fight against IS militants in Syria and Iraq and redouble their efforts to prevent further attacks by the group.

As well as wanting to protect Britain from future attacks by IS, Mr Cameron does not want it to appear that the UK is unwilling to support its allies in the fight.

  • When will there be a vote?

A vote on air strikes could take place as early as next week, although Mr Cameron has insisted he will not "bounce" MPs into a decision.

He has made clear he will not seek a vote in the Commons unless he is confident a majority of MPs will back him and Downing Street said there would only be a vote on strikes if there was a "clear majority" for doing so, as a defeat for the Government would hand IS a "propaganda victory".

Downing Street said Thursday's response and statement from the Prime Minister would give MPs the chance to "fully consider the threat facing Britain and the Government’s response".

"There will only be a Commons vote on the extension of airstrikes if there is a clear majority because we don’t want to hand ISIL a propaganda victory," a Number 10 spokesman said.

  • So is he likely to get that support?

The Prime Minister has already lost one vote for military action in Syria - in 2013, when possible UK military action was rejected by MPs.

In that case, the suggestion was to target Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.

To lose another vote on action in Syria would be extremely damaging to Britain's international reputation.

The Prime Minister is likely to need the support of some Labour MPs. Credit: PA

A number of Conservative MPs remain sceptical about the idea, and as the Government has such a small majority in the Commons, Mr Cameron has to convince Labour MPs of his case.

Labour's stance on the issue is unclear, with Jeremy Corbyn understood to have told colleagues that he wants to establish a collective position on the issue.

This could expose a deep rift, as while the leader has indicated he opposes military action against IS, a number of shadow ministers are likely to support it or choose to abstain.

  • Who would Britain be joining if it started attacking IS in Syria?

A large number of countries are already carrying out strikes against the group in Syria.

The United States has been a key player, along with allies including France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Canada has also been conducting strikes, although new leader Justin Trudeau has said its jets will withdraw from the conflict.

Russia has also recently joined the campaign, although the downing of one of their jets by Turkey has thrown any chance of an alliance between the west and east into doubt.

David Cameron wants to support countries like France in Syria. Credit: PA