British pounds ISIS a second time, scatter oil fields

Last night British Typhoon fighters were deployed for the first time in the mission to defeat Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Officials said that “early reports” deemed the strikes “successful”, and that after launching their rockets, the planes stayed behind to gather intelligence for future attacks.

It said Tornado and Typhoon warplanes from Britain’s air base in Akrotiri, Cyprus conducted eight strikes on targets in the IS-controlled oilfield at Omar in eastern Syria.

Prime Minister David Cameron’s government was backed by 397 lawmakers compared to 223 who opposed the bombing, giving him the strong mandate he said was essential for military action.

“They’ve been making a lot of money out of oil … and their revenue helps to finance their terrorism in Western Europe and is a threat to us in Britain”.

Since coalition air operations began past year, the RAF base at Akrotiri has been home to extensive air capabilities, including Tornado GR4s, Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft, C130 transport aircraft, and Sentinel surveillance aircraft, according to the MoD statement. Defence Sectary Michael Fallon said the first strike, aiming to dent the extremists ability to sell oil, was “extremely important”.

Addressing air and ground crew responsible for carrying out raids in Iraq and Syria he warned that plots to cause “murder and mayhem” had already been thwarted and their work was necessary to protect the British public.

Fallon was speaking to personnel from 903 Expeditionary Wing at Akrotiri RAF base in Cyprus, from where daily missions are flown against IS.

“Last night saw the full force of the RAF”.

“We are going to do our very best to minimise civilian casualties”.

Fallon said the decision will make the streets “in Britain safer, as we take the fight to where Daesh (IS) plot attacks on our people and our allies”.

Smellie said: “The fact that 57 out the 59 MSPs in Scotland… did not vote for bombing Syria is something that we can be proud of”.

Michael Fallon says the four jets from the British base in Cyprus bombed wellheads at the Omar oilfield in eastern Syria.

With the Syria mission under way, the RAF brings extra fire power to the war on Islamic State thugs – crucially Britain’s pioneering Brimstone missiles.

But the Free Syrian Army opposition group has claimed British intervention is “just a few more jets” over the course of a long campaign.