Bombing will make the Isis problem worse

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/23/bombing-will-make-isis-problem-worse

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Along with most British people, we opposed an attack on Iraq in 2003. The brutal reality of the invasion and occupation confirmed our worst fears. At least half a million died and the country was devastated. Now, less than three years after US troops were pulled out, the US is bombing again. The British government is considering joining military action, not just in Iraq but in Syria too. All the experience of the varied military action taken by the west in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya shows that such interventions kill innocents, destroy infrastructure and fragment societies, and in the process spread bitterness and violence. While we all reject the politics and methods of Isis, we have to recognise that it is in part a product of the last disastrous intervention, which helped foster sectarianism and regional division. It has also been funded and aided by some of the west’s allies, especially Saudi Arabia. More bombing, let alone boots on the ground, will only exacerbate the situation. We urge the government to rule out any further military action in Iraq or Syria.Caryl Churchill playwrightBrian Eno musicianTariq Ali writer and broadcasterJeremy Corbyn MPLindsey German convenor of the Stop the War CoalitionDiane Abbott MPMark Rylance actorKen Loach film directorMichael Rosen author and broadcasterKate Hudson general secretary of CNDJohn McDonnell MPSami Ramadani Iraqi writer and campaignerLen McCluskey general secretary of UniteAmir Amarani film directorMohammed Kozbar vice-president of the Muslim Association of BritainDr Anas AltikritiWalter Wolfgang Labour CNDAndrew Murray chief of staff Unite