UK says first strikes in Syria hit oil fields

Britain’s defense secretary says British Tornados struck at oil fields that help finance the activities of the Islamic State group – the first strikes to follow after a vote in Parliament authorizing military action in Syria. President Francois Hollande cited specific threats against French interests stemming from IS in Syria.

The 397-223 vote in the House of Commons means Royal Air Force fighter jets – already operating against ISIS in Iraq from a base in Cyprus – could be flying over Syria within hours.

Four Tornado jets took off from Britain’s Akrotiri air base in Cyprus less than two hours after the House of Commons overwhelmingly endorsed government plans for strikes.

The first British bombings of Syria have taken place within hours of a vote by MPs in the Commons to back extending operations against Islamic State (IS).

Romford MP Mr Rosindell said he voted with the government but he told the Recorder he did it “with some doubts”.

RAF Akrotiri has been used as a launchpad for attacks on Islamic State targets in Iraq for just over a year, and late on Wednesday Britain’s parliament broadened its scope for targets within Syria.

Germany’s parliament is also expected to vote on Friday in favour of joining the campaign against Islamic State, although only to provide military support for air strikes, not actually to take part in them.

Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond has said the case for strikes is “simple and specific” – to extend British action beyond the border that ISIS do not recognise.

Although he believes “it is important to stand by our allies”, Mr Rosindell has criticised Mr Cameron for not having “a proper strategy”, which would considers the wider implications of air strikes in Syria.

British Prime Minister David Cameron gave a very emotional speech in an effort to persuade the MPs to approve the British intervention in Syria.

Aside from Russian Federation and the United States, France has also been conducting airstrikes against IS in Syria.

Barnsley MP Dan Jarvis, who voted for military action, admitted there was “never a flawless solution” but said it was misguided to think IS would leave Britain alone if they were not attacked.

“They hold us in contempt, they hold our values in contempt, they hold our belief in tolerance and decency in contempt, they hold our democracy – the means by which we will make our decision tonight – in contempt”, Benn said, as Corbyn sat in silence beside him.

He said: “This is about how we fight terrorism, not if we fight terrorism”.

A Labour source said the shadow cabinet was told that 57% of Labour MPs are opposed to air strikes, with 43% in favour, suggesting that nearly 100 could join Tories in backing military action, with around 132 following Mr Corbyn in to the No lobby.