Defence secretary says it is 'illogical' for Britain to take part in bombing campaigns against Islamic State, or Isil, in Iraq but not Syria
Britain is considering bombing jihadists from the so-called Islamic State in Syria, the defence secretary has indicated for the first time.
Michael Fallon said it was “illogical” for Britain to take part in bombing campaigns against Islamic State, or Isil, in Iraq but not Syria.
The comments will be seen as the clearest sign that the Government is considering stepping up military action against the terrorists across the Middle East.
The Defence Secretary said MPs would need to reflect on how best to confront the threat from Isil and factor in the groups failure to respect borders in the Middle East.
He told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: “It is a new Parliament and I think Members of Parliament will want to think very carefully about how we best deal with Isil and the illogicality of Isil not respecting the borderlines.
“They don’t differentiate between Syria and Iraq, they are establishing this evil caliphate across both countries.”
Mr Fallon said that MPs in Parliament would get a vote on any decision to start bombing isil.
• We will never be able to negotiate with Isis - so what are the other options?
He said any prospective military intervention in Syria would be put before Parliament unless the country faced “an imminent threat”, when the Government would have the right to “take action without parliamentary approval”.
The news came after Mary Creagh, who was challenging to be leader of the Labour party, said the party was wrong to rule out British bombing raids on Islamic State in Syria last year.
Britain could start bombing Syria, admits Defence Secretary Michael Fallon - Telegraph
Britain is considering bombing jihadists from the so-called Islamic State in Syria, the defence secretary has indicated for the first time.
Michael Fallon said it was “illogical” for Britain to take part in bombing campaigns against Islamic State, or Isil, in Iraq but not Syria.
The comments will be seen as the clearest sign that the Government is considering stepping up military action against the terrorists across the Middle East.
The Defence Secretary said MPs would need to reflect on how best to confront the threat from Isil and factor in the groups failure to respect borders in the Middle East.
He told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: “It is a new Parliament and I think Members of Parliament will want to think very carefully about how we best deal with Isil and the illogicality of Isil not respecting the borderlines.
“They don’t differentiate between Syria and Iraq, they are establishing this evil caliphate across both countries.”
Mr Fallon said that MPs in Parliament would get a vote on any decision to start bombing isil.
• We will never be able to negotiate with Isis - so what are the other options?
He said any prospective military intervention in Syria would be put before Parliament unless the country faced “an imminent threat”, when the Government would have the right to “take action without parliamentary approval”.
The news came after Mary Creagh, who was challenging to be leader of the Labour party, said the party was wrong to rule out British bombing raids on Islamic State in Syria last year.
Britain could start bombing Syria, admits Defence Secretary Michael Fallon - Telegraph
but no French aircraft took to the Air, it was all US, Brits, Canadian and Aussies....You may impress your arab friends and your Romanian gleaner...but you don't full the ones who knows better ....Anyway, we will be there if your @ss gets in a crack and needs saving...
