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What's the UK doing about Syria: Key questions answered Syria air strikes: What you need to know
(about 9 hours later)
Prime Minister David Cameron has presented his case to the Commons for the UK to bomb Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria. He hopes to win MPs' support in a parliamentary vote. On Wednesday MPs are to debate - and later vote on - UK air strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria.
What's going on in Syria? The government motion to be voted on specifically authorises air strikes "exclusively" against IS in Syria - but not British troops on the ground.
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. Here are the key questions answered:
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. When is the vote?
In the chaos, jihadist group Islamic State moved in over the border from Iraq and claimed territory. The Commons debate begins at 11:30 GMT Wednesday, with a vote expected at about 22:00.
The US, Russia, France and other world powers have entered the fray, adding to the already complex web. Will the government win?
Syria: The story of the conflict David Cameron had made it clear he would not hold a vote unless he was confident he would win.
What is the UK currently doing about it? The majority of Conservative MPs are expected to vote in favour. The DUP and the Liberal Democrats have indicated they could vote in favour.
Labour is split. Leader Jeremy Corbyn is opposed but has granted his MPs a free vote. The Greens, Plaid Cymru and UKIP are expected to vote against, and the SNP says it will oppose air strikes.
About 650 MPs are expected to vote - a majority is half of those who have voted, plus one.
At least 50 Labour MPs are expected to vote with the government, which is likely to give it a comfortable majority backing air strikes.
Syria bombing: Where UK parties stand
If the government wins, how soon could the UK be bombing Syria?
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg quotes defence sources as saying the RAF could move "extremely fast" following approval.
Will we be bombing Syria by the end of the week?
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.
He argues the UK has a moral obligation to get involved, and should not be "content with outsourcing our security to allies".
Britain's laser-guided Brimstone missiles - which no other country has - would greatly help the coalition with precision targeting IS fighters, he says.
Bombing IS in Syria 'will make UK 'safer'
Who is against it and why?
MPs who oppose the plan, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, argue any British bombing in Syria will inevitably lead to civilians being killed, no matter how targeted the campaign.
He says the government should instead focus on finding a political solution, and cutting off streams of funding to IS.
The SNP says it is concerned that there is no effective ground support in place to take and hold territory, and no fully-costed reconstruction plan.
Other MPs who are opposed warn against repeating mistakes of the past, such as in Iraq and Libya, and question how bombing in Syria will prevent attacks from home-grown terrorists inspired by IS.
The case for and against UK air strikes in Syria
The debate on social media
What is Mr Cameron'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.
He insists the RAF's specialist bombing capabilities are needed by allies to "degrade and defeat" IS, and 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 says there are at least 70,000 moderate Syrian opposition fighters capable of retaking territory from IS, although this figure is disputed.
The UK will help deliver a government to "represent all of the Syrian people" and plan for post-conflict reconstruction, he says.
Are there 70,000 Syrian 'moderates' ready to back UK?
What difference could UK air strikes make?
It is true that the UK has precision weapons that its allies do not. The government argues these 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.
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" through urban centres.
Its report on the issue concluded that "...while the RAF's contribution will not make much difference to the coalition's strike capability (in Syria), the availability of the Tornado would provide a greater range of options".
Can British forces make a difference in Syria?
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.
For those left behind in areas of conflict, life is difficult and dangerous, as citizen journalists living in Islamic State stronghold Raqqa have told the BBC. They face being caught up in clashes between the Syrian government, opposition factions and jihadists groups.
There have been claims that Russian air strikes in Syria have killed dozens of civilians. US officials say at least six civilians have been killed in their strikes against IS in Iraq.
Mr Cameron has said that Britain's Brimstone missiles are so precise that 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 rely on good intelligence.
How might IS militants respond to any 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: "Actions have consequences and the inevitable blowback on our streets will be severe."
However, Mr Cameron argues that the UK is already at severe threat level - and doing nothing could make the UK more of a target. Taking action will "reduce and degrade that threat over time", he says.
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, which operate out of a British base in Cyprus.The UK has deployed air power to Iraq in the form of eight RAF Tornado aircraft, which operate out of a British base in Cyprus.
The jets have carried out about 30% of coalition surveillance missions, and under 5% of coalition air strikes in Iraq - launching guided bombs or Brimstone missiles aimed at IS targets.The jets have carried out about 30% of coalition surveillance missions, and under 5% of coalition air strikes in Iraq - launching guided bombs or Brimstone missiles 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.
Parliament has not approved UK air raids in Syria - however British pilots have been embedded with coalition air forces, and two British jihadists in Syria were killed by an RAF drone strike. British pilots have also been embedded with coalition air forces, and two British jihadists in Syria were killed by an RAF drone strike.
Why is the UK bombing Islamic State 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.Just over a year later, MPs overwhelmingly approved UK air strikes in Iraq - this time specifically against IS militants.
The influential Commons Foreign Affairs Committee warned against extending bombing to Syria without a "coherent international strategy".The influential Commons Foreign Affairs Committee warned against extending bombing to Syria without a "coherent international strategy".
David Cameron says it makes no sense to stop at a border IS does not recognise. He has come up with a strategy for Syria to try to build support among MPs ahead of a fresh vote. Mr Cameron says it makes no sense to stop at a border IS does not recognise. He has come up with a strategy for Syria to try to build support among MPs ahead of a fresh vote.
Why does the UK want to extend operations to Syria? What's going on in Syria?
David Cameron says IS poses a terror threat to British people, and so the UK must strike "at the head of the snake" at IS headquarters 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.
British precision weapons would greatly help the allies' campaign, he says. 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.
However, the Foreign Affairs Committee says the UK would only have a "marginal effect" on the conflict, and risks "further reputational" damage unless it can make a clear legal case for action. In the chaos, jihadist group IS moved in over the border from Iraq and claimed territory.
Others, including Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell, have warned against repeating mistakes of the past in Iraq and Libya, and questioned how bombing in Syria would prevent attacks from home-grown terrorists. The US, Russia, France and other world powers have entered the fray, adding to an already complex web.
What is David Cameron's plan? Syria: The story of the conflict
David Cameron has set out a plan involving UK military, diplomatic and humanitarian action in Syria. Who are the IS group?
He ruled out British "boots on the ground" - and insisted the RAF had specialist bombing capabilities that were needed by its allies.
He argued there was strong legal justification on grounds of self-defence and the recent UN Security Council resolution.
He also promised the UK would help deliver a government to "represent all of the Syrian people" and plan for post-conflict reconstruction.
What impact would British air strikes in Syria have?
A number of people, including the prime minister, have conceded that air strikes alone are not enough to defeat Islamic State.
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" through urban centres.
Meanwhile the chief of the defence staff said while the UK should support its allies with air strikes, playing any "decisive role" could "add fuel to the radicalisation of Isis as an abhorrent cult".
What are other countries doing?
To date, US aircraft have conducted nearly all of the air strikes undertaken by the international coalition in Syria and Iraq.
However, others taking part in the US-led coalition include France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain.
Russia is not part of the US-led coalition. It claims to be targeting IS strongholds - however, the US fears Russia is actually targeting opponents of President Assad, who is a Russian ally.
Germany's cabinet has approved plans to provide military support for fight against IS in Syria.
Islamic State: Where key countries stand
Battle for Iraq and Syria in maps
Where do political parties stand?
While the majority of Conservative MPs would support UK military action in Syria, there are about 20 expected to oppose it.
Labour is split. Leader Jeremy Corbyn is opposed to military action, but about 20 to 30 of his MPs are thought to be in favour - including members of his shadow cabinet.
The SNP remains "unconvinced" and wants to see clear UN legal authorisation for air strikes. The Liberal Democrats have said they are not yet persuaded.
The Greens, Plaid Cymru and UKIP are expected to vote against extending air strikes to Syria. The DUP has indicated it could vote in favour.
Syria bombing: Where UK parties stand
What is Islamic State?
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.
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'?
What are other countries doing against IS?
To date, US aircraft have conducted nearly all of the air strikes undertaken in Syria and Iraq by some members of the international coalition of 63 states. France, Australia and Denmark have also taken part.
Russia is not part of the US-led coalition. 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
Battle for Iraq and Syria in maps