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| Syria air strikes: What you need to know | Syria air strikes: What you need to know |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The UK has launched air strikes against so-called Islamic State targets in Syria after MPs voted overwhelmingly for action. | |
| The government motion voted on specifically authorises air strikes "exclusively" against IS in Syria - but not deploying British troops on the ground. | The government motion voted on specifically authorises air strikes "exclusively" against IS in Syria - but not deploying British troops on the ground. |
| Here are the key questions answered: | Here are the key questions answered: |
| When did the UK begin bombing Syria? | |
| RAF Tornado jets have carried out their first air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. | |
| Two of the four Tornados arrived back in Cyprus just over three hours after they left the base, landing shortly before 03:00 GMT on Thursday morning. | |
| A MoD spokesman said the sorties had returned from the "first offensive operation over Syria and have conducted strikes". | |
| UK launches first Syria air strikes after MPs approval | |
| Why does Mr Cameron want to bomb Syria? | Why does Mr Cameron want to bomb Syria? |
| David Cameron says IS poses a terror threat to British people, and so the UK must strike IS in its "heartland" - Syria. | David Cameron says IS poses a terror threat to British people, and so the UK must strike IS in its "heartland" - Syria. |
| He argues the UK has a moral obligation to get involved, and should not be "content with outsourcing our security to allies". | He argues the UK has a moral obligation to get involved, and should not be "content with outsourcing our security to allies". |
| Bombing IS in Syria 'will make UK 'safer' | Bombing IS in Syria 'will make UK 'safer' |
| Who was against it and why? | Who was against it and why? |
| MPs who opposed the plan, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, argued that British bombing in Syria will inevitably lead to civilians being killed, no matter how targeted the campaign. | MPs who opposed the plan, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, argued that British bombing in Syria will inevitably lead to civilians being killed, no matter how targeted the campaign. |
| He wanted the government to focus on finding a political solution, and cutting off IS funding streams. | He wanted the government to focus on finding a political solution, and cutting off IS funding streams. |
| The SNP said it was concerned there was no effective ground support in place to take and hold territory, and no reconstruction plan. | The SNP said it was concerned there was no effective ground support in place to take and hold territory, and no reconstruction plan. |
| Other MPs who were opposed warned against repeating mistakes made in the Iraq and Libya conflicts, and questioned how bombing in Syria would prevent attacks from home-grown terrorists inspired by IS. | Other MPs who were opposed warned against repeating mistakes made in the Iraq and Libya conflicts, and questioned how bombing in Syria would prevent attacks from home-grown terrorists inspired by IS. |
| The case for and against UK air strikes in Syria | The case for and against UK air strikes in Syria |
| Why is 'terrorist sympathiser' trending? | Why is 'terrorist sympathiser' trending? |
| Do Syrian civilians want Britain to join in with air strikes? | Do Syrian civilians want Britain to join in with air strikes? |
| This is a difficult question to answer - the situation on the ground makes it hard to reliably gauge Syrian public opinion. | This is a difficult question to answer - the situation on the ground makes it hard to reliably gauge Syrian public opinion. |
| The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet, in the capital Damascus, says most Syrians are weary of fighting and would support a concerted effort to end the war. | The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet, in the capital Damascus, says most Syrians are weary of fighting and would support a concerted effort to end the war. |
| "Those who back the government want Britain to co-ordinate with President Assad's forces to fight extremist groups. Those who don't want greater international action to remove him from power," she said. | "Those who back the government want Britain to co-ordinate with President Assad's forces to fight extremist groups. Those who don't want greater international action to remove him from power," she said. |
| She says Syrian newspapers on Wednesday made no mention of possible UK intervention. They led with an interview in which President Bashar al-Assad claimed air strikes by Russia - which backs his government - were tackling jihadists, while US strikes were not effective. | She says Syrian newspapers on Wednesday made no mention of possible UK intervention. They led with an interview in which President Bashar al-Assad claimed air strikes by Russia - which backs his government - were tackling jihadists, while US strikes were not effective. |
| What difference could UK air strikes make? | What difference could UK air strikes make? |
| The UK has precision laser-guided Brimstone missiles, which the government argues will help the coalition reduce civilian casualties, and sustain the campaign. | The UK has precision laser-guided Brimstone missiles, which the government argues will help the coalition reduce civilian casualties, and sustain the campaign. |
| However, a number of people, including the prime minister, have conceded that air strikes alone are not enough to defeat IS. | However, a number of people, including the prime minister, have conceded that air strikes alone are not enough to defeat IS. |
| Defence think tank, the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), has said IS will only be dislodged by "credible Arab ground forces prepared to fight block by block". | Defence think tank, the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), has said IS will only be dislodged by "credible Arab ground forces prepared to fight block by block". |
| The RAF's contribution would "not make much difference" to the coalition's strike capability, but the availability of British Tornado jets would provide "a greater range of options", it concluded. | The RAF's contribution would "not make much difference" to the coalition's strike capability, but the availability of British Tornado jets would provide "a greater range of options", it concluded. |
| Can British forces make a difference in Syria? | Can British forces make a difference in Syria? |
| What's the UK's plan for Syria? | What's the UK's plan for Syria? |
| Mr Cameron has set out a seven-point plan for the UK's proposed involvement in Syria, which involves military, diplomatic and humanitarian action. | Mr Cameron has set out a seven-point plan for the UK's proposed involvement in Syria, which involves military, diplomatic and humanitarian action. |
| He has ruled out British "boots on the ground" - but insists the RAF's specialist bombing capabilities are needed by allies to "degrade and defeat" IS. He says there is strong legal justification on grounds of self-defence and the recent UN Security Council resolution. | He has ruled out British "boots on the ground" - but insists the RAF's specialist bombing capabilities are needed by allies to "degrade and defeat" IS. He says there is strong legal justification on grounds of self-defence and the recent UN Security Council resolution. |
| The UK would also help with the transition to a new "inclusive" Syrian government through diplomatic means, he says. He is clear that this would mean the departure of President Assad, and "moderate opposition" would be crucial to its success. | The UK would also help with the transition to a new "inclusive" Syrian government through diplomatic means, he says. He is clear that this would mean the departure of President Assad, and "moderate opposition" would be crucial to its success. |
| Are there really 70,000 moderate Syrian fighters? | Are there really 70,000 moderate Syrian fighters? |
| David Cameron has said there at least 70,000 Syrian opposition fighters - principally the Free Syrian Army - with whom the UK could co-ordinate attacks on IS. | David Cameron has said there at least 70,000 Syrian opposition fighters - principally the Free Syrian Army - with whom the UK could co-ordinate attacks on IS. |
| That is based on Joint Intelligence Committee figures which draw on Foreign Office, open source and intelligence agency assessments, officials say. | That is based on Joint Intelligence Committee figures which draw on Foreign Office, open source and intelligence agency assessments, officials say. |
| Independent experts say the 70,000 figure is broadly accurate, but question how many could be persuaded to fight IS instead of the Syrian regime, let alone be moulded into an effective force. | Independent experts say the 70,000 figure is broadly accurate, but question how many could be persuaded to fight IS instead of the Syrian regime, let alone be moulded into an effective force. |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says that brings into question whether the ground force part of David Cameron's wider strategy is actually viable. | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says that brings into question whether the ground force part of David Cameron's wider strategy is actually viable. |
| Moderates v hardliners | Moderates v hardliners |
| How long could the UK be involved? | How long could the UK be involved? |
| There is no definitive timescale. Some claim IS could be defeated within months - or even weeks - with the right strategy. | There is no definitive timescale. Some claim IS could be defeated within months - or even weeks - with the right strategy. |
| But others, including Jeremy Corbyn, say previous conflicts in the Middle East raise doubts that Britain could ever help secure any "lasting defeat" of IS - or avoid what Barack Obama termed "unintended consequences", such as giving rise to new terror groups. | But others, including Jeremy Corbyn, say previous conflicts in the Middle East raise doubts that Britain could ever help secure any "lasting defeat" of IS - or avoid what Barack Obama termed "unintended consequences", such as giving rise to new terror groups. |
| The end goal, Mr Cameron says, is the "eradication" of IS, and a new government that represents all Syrian people - a mission which would require "patience and persistence". | The end goal, Mr Cameron says, is the "eradication" of IS, and a new government that represents all Syrian people - a mission which would require "patience and persistence". |
| What could the impact be on ordinary Syrians? | What could the impact be on ordinary Syrians? |
| More than three million people have already left Syria as a result of the fighting, in one of the biggest forced migrations since World War Two. | More than three million people have already left Syria as a result of the fighting, in one of the biggest forced migrations since World War Two. |
| Those still living in areas of conflict face being caught up in clashes between the Syrian government, opposition factions and jihadists groups. | Those still living in areas of conflict face being caught up in clashes between the Syrian government, opposition factions and jihadists groups. |
| There have also been reports of civilians killed by Russian air strikes in Syria and US strikes in Iraq. Mr Cameron has said that Britain's Brimstone missiles are so precise they will be able to avoid civilian casualties. | There have also been reports of civilians killed by Russian air strikes in Syria and US strikes in Iraq. Mr Cameron has said that Britain's Brimstone missiles are so precise they will be able to avoid civilian casualties. |
| However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights warns that IS fighters are living "almost totally" among civilians, meaning that avoiding civilian casualties will also depend on good intelligence. | However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights warns that IS fighters are living "almost totally" among civilians, meaning that avoiding civilian casualties will also depend on good intelligence. |
| What's life like under Islamic State? | What's life like under Islamic State? |
| How might IS militants respond to strikes? | How might IS militants respond to strikes? |
| IS group leaders have called on followers to carry out terror attacks against Western countries - particularly those involved in coalition air strikes. | IS group leaders have called on followers to carry out terror attacks against Western countries - particularly those involved in coalition air strikes. |
| Those opposed to air strikes have warned about potential repercussions, including former UK ambassador to Syria, Peter Ford, who said "the inevitable blowback on our streets will be severe". | Those opposed to air strikes have warned about potential repercussions, including former UK ambassador to Syria, Peter Ford, who said "the inevitable blowback on our streets will be severe". |
| However, Mr Cameron argues the UK is already at severe threat level - and doing nothing could make the country even more of a target. Taking action will "degrade that threat over time", he says. | However, Mr Cameron argues the UK is already at severe threat level - and doing nothing could make the country even more of a target. Taking action will "degrade that threat over time", he says. |
| What action has the UK taken against IS already? | What action has the UK taken against IS already? |
| The UK has deployed air power to Iraq in the form of eight RAF Tornado aircraft. They operate out of a British base in Cyprus and have launched guided bombs aimed at IS targets. | The UK has deployed air power to Iraq in the form of eight RAF Tornado aircraft. They operate out of a British base in Cyprus and have launched guided bombs aimed at IS targets. |
| Reaper drones, which are remotely piloted by RAF crews in the UK, have also carried out surveillance and launched missiles at IS targets in Iraq. | Reaper drones, which are remotely piloted by RAF crews in the UK, have also carried out surveillance and launched missiles at IS targets in Iraq. |
| British pilots have also been embedded with coalition air forces, and two British jihadists in Syria were killed by an RAF drone strike in September, which David Cameron said was a lawful "act of self defence". | British pilots have also been embedded with coalition air forces, and two British jihadists in Syria were killed by an RAF drone strike in September, which David Cameron said was a lawful "act of self defence". |
| Why has the UK been bombing IS in Iraq, but not Syria? | Why has the UK been bombing IS in Iraq, but not Syria? |
| In 2013, MPs voted against possible UK military action against President Assad's forces in Syria, after evidence chemical weapons were used against civilians. | In 2013, MPs voted against possible UK military action against President Assad's forces in Syria, after evidence chemical weapons were used against civilians. |
| Just over a year later, MPs overwhelmingly approved UK air strikes in Iraq - this time specifically against IS militants. MPs have now voted on extending that action to Syria. | Just over a year later, MPs overwhelmingly approved UK air strikes in Iraq - this time specifically against IS militants. MPs have now voted on extending that action to Syria. |
| What is going on in Syria? | What is going on in Syria? |
| Syria has been embroiled in a bloody armed conflict for nearly five years. More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed, and 11 million made homeless. | Syria has been embroiled in a bloody armed conflict for nearly five years. More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed, and 11 million made homeless. |
| What started as pro-democracy Arab Spring protests in 2011 spiralled into a civil war between President Bashar al-Assad's government forces and opposition supporters. | What started as pro-democracy Arab Spring protests in 2011 spiralled into a civil war between President Bashar al-Assad's government forces and opposition supporters. |
| In the chaos, jihadist group IS moved in over the border from Iraq and claimed territory. The US, Russia, France and other world powers have entered the fray, adding to an already complex web. | In the chaos, jihadist group IS moved in over the border from Iraq and claimed territory. The US, Russia, France and other world powers have entered the fray, adding to an already complex web. |
| Syria: The story of the conflict | Syria: The story of the conflict |
| What are other countries doing against IS? | What are other countries doing against IS? |
| To date, US aircraft have conducted nearly all of the air strikes undertaken in Syria and Iraq. France, Australia and Denmark have also taken part. | To date, US aircraft have conducted nearly all of the air strikes undertaken in Syria and Iraq. France, Australia and Denmark have also taken part. |
| Russia is not part of the US-led coalition of 63 states. It claims to be targeting IS strongholds - however, the US fears Russia is actually targeting opponents of President Assad, who is a Russian ally. | Russia is not part of the US-led coalition of 63 states. It claims to be targeting IS strongholds - however, the US fears Russia is actually targeting opponents of President Assad, who is a Russian ally. |
| Islamic State: Where key countries stand | Islamic State: Where key countries stand |
| Battle for Iraq and Syria in maps | Battle for Iraq and Syria in maps |
| Who are the IS group? | Who are the IS group? |
| IS is a notoriously violent Islamist group which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq. It has declared its territory a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law - under its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. | IS is a notoriously violent Islamist group which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq. It has declared its territory a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law - under its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. |
| Why does it have so many names? | Why does it have so many names? |
| The group is often referred to by different names by English-speaking governments and media - including Isis, Isil, IS or Daesh (or Da'ish). | The group is often referred to by different names by English-speaking governments and media - including Isis, Isil, IS or Daesh (or Da'ish). |
| The group itself uses the name "Islamic State". However, many MPs say using that name implies it has legitimacy as a state. David Cameron has announced he will used the term Daesh - a term which the IS supporters find offensive. | The group itself uses the name "Islamic State". However, many MPs say using that name implies it has legitimacy as a state. David Cameron has announced he will used the term Daesh - a term which the IS supporters find offensive. |
| Isis, Isil, IS or Daesh? One group, many names | Isis, Isil, IS or Daesh? One group, many names |
| What does it want? | What does it want? |
| IS demands allegiance from all Muslims, rejects national borders and seeks to expand its territory. It follows its own extreme version of Sunni Islam and regards non-believers as deserving of death. | IS demands allegiance from all Muslims, rejects national borders and seeks to expand its territory. It follows its own extreme version of Sunni Islam and regards non-believers as deserving of death. |
| How strong is IS? | How strong is IS? |
| IS projects a powerful image, partly through propaganda and sheer brutality, and is the world's richest insurgent group. It has about 30,000 fighters but is facing daily bombing by the US-led multi-national coalition, which has vowed to destroy it. | IS projects a powerful image, partly through propaganda and sheer brutality, and is the world's richest insurgent group. It has about 30,000 fighters but is facing daily bombing by the US-led multi-national coalition, which has vowed to destroy it. |
| What is 'Islamic State'? | What is 'Islamic State'? |