Syria air strikes: David Cameron warns of long campaign

The mission to target so-called Islamic State militants in Syria could take "some time" and will require persistence, PM David Cameron has said.

RAF Tornados conducted air strikes on six targets in Syria, "successfully" attacking IS-controlled oilfields, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.
There will be "strong support from our allies" for the action, the PM said.

It comes as two additional Tornados and six Typhoons have been despatched to the region to take part in attacks.
Speaking after the strikes, Mr Cameron said the operation in Syria would require "patience".
"It is complex and it is difficult what we are asking our pilots to do, and our thoughts should be with them and their families as they commence this important work," he said.
The decision to approve the mission was "good for the country", the prime minister said, adding: "There was a compelling case for extending our air strikes from Iraq to Syria, and I was glad to see such strong support right across parliament."
MPs overwhelmingly backed UK military action against IS - also known as Daesh - in Syria, by 397 votes to 223, after a 10-hour Commons debate on Wednesday.

 

 

Oil fields targeted

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the MoD would be assessing the damage done by the strikes, saying he had personally approved the targets ahead of the Commons vote.
He said the aim was to strike "a very real blow on the oil and revenue on which Daesh depends".

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the IS-controlled Omar oilfield in eastern Syria - hit by UK air strikes - was one of eight oilfields targeted by coalition forces.
He said the decision to target oilfields may have been a political one - to avoid civilian casualties.
But our correspondent said there was now "an urgency" among US-led forces to "close down" IS sources of revenue.
The oilfield at Omar potentially represents more than 10% of its income, the MoD said.

• UK air strikes on IS in Syria: Live updates
• Key quotes and clips from the debate
• Syria air strikes: What you need to know
• How did your MP vote?
• What weapons does the coalition have?

Mr Fallon also confirmed two Tornados and six Typhoons were being sent to join the eight jets already at the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, from where UK operations in Iraq have been launched.
The Typhoons left RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, to join the air strikes.

---