Cameron to set out case for air strikes on IS in Syria

The country has been undertaking air strikes on the outfit’s strongholds in Iraq but has not yet ventured into Syria.

“I believe that we should now take the decision to extend British air strikes against ISIL into Syria”, he wrote, ahead of a speech in parliament on Thursday where he will formally argue his case for war.

He said in his 24-page response the campaign against Islamic State was entering a new phase, focusing on command and control, supply lines and financial support – something Britain could contribute well to.

No decision on whether to send RAF drones and planes to strike IS targets in Syria will take place until Mr Cameron is sure he has a “clear majority” of MPs in favour. Tensions also escalated over Turkey’s downing of a Russian fighter bomber, with Vladimir Putin’s government imposing tough sanctions on Ankara.

The Prime Minister said it was time to “do the right thing for our country”, and strike the “head of the snake” at IS headquarters in Raqqa, Syria.

In his letter, Mr Corbyn said that the shadow cabinet would meet again on Monday in an attempt to reach a “common view”.

The vote in the UN Security Council calling for action against the group may also sway the undecided.

In short – no. Labour are very divided on the issue, and it’s unclear whether there will be a free vote or if Labour will be whipped to follow the leadership.

Labour veteran Paul Flynn went further, warning bombing would boost Isis and “escalate a regional war into a world war between Christians and Muslims”.

Labour sources now believe that Mr Corbyn will back down next week and allow MPs to vote with their conscience.

Jeremy Corbyn is facing a shadow cabinet revolt over his announcement that he can not back proposals for airstrikes in Syria.

“Jeremy appoints the shadow cabinet – not the other way round”.

So the party leader’s letter sparked anger.

His comments came just hours after Hilary Benn, Labour’s foreign affairs spokesman, told the BBC that he thought the Prime Minister’s arguments were “compelling”.

“If we won’t act now when our friend and ally France has been struck in this way, then our friends and allies can be forgiven for asking: ‘If not now, when?'” Cameron said.

Despite the confusion within the Labour ranks, Mr Hammond indicated he was encouraged by the initial response to Mr Cameron’s statement with a number of Tory MPs who had previously been critical falling in behind the Government.

The prime minister still faces a fight in the coming days to persuade enough MPs to support joining air strikes, particularly as his centre-right Conservatives have a Commons working majority of only 17.

The statement comes as the British parliament is scheduled to vote on starting an aerial campaign against the ISIL jihadists in Syria in December.

Cameron lost a vote in Parliament two years ago to allow attacks on Syria, and has been reluctant to even suggest another until he could be certain to win.

Britain’s arsenal includes the Brimstone missile, whose technology enables it to ensure accuracy against moving targets, such as gun trucks used by Islamic State group militants.

Cameron said the United Kingdom must pursue military and diplomatic tracks in parallel and that the country does not have “the luxury of being able to wait until the Syrian conflict is resolved before tackling ISIL”.