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IS: David Cameron defends Iraq air strike strategy IS: David Cameron defends Iraq air strike strategy
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron has defended efforts to combat Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq using air strikes, saying the UK's military approach is not "simplistic".David Cameron has defended efforts to combat Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq using air strikes, saying the UK's military approach is not "simplistic".
The prime minister told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that air strikes were "part of a comprehensive strategy".The prime minister told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that air strikes were "part of a comprehensive strategy".
Some commentators have suggested ground troops would also be necessary.Some commentators have suggested ground troops would also be necessary.
RAF jets have begun carrying out combat missions over Iraq after Parliament voted by 524 votes to 43 to take action against IS in Iraq.RAF jets have begun carrying out combat missions over Iraq after Parliament voted by 524 votes to 43 to take action against IS in Iraq.
The UK's military presence is part of a US-led coalition of about 40 countries, including Arab states, that has vowed to destroy IS, which controls large parts of north-eastern Syria and northern Iraq.The UK's military presence is part of a US-led coalition of about 40 countries, including Arab states, that has vowed to destroy IS, which controls large parts of north-eastern Syria and northern Iraq.
At least two British hostages are thought to be being held by the group - journalist John Cantlie and taxi driver Alan Henning, who had been delivering humanitarian aid to Syria.At least two British hostages are thought to be being held by the group - journalist John Cantlie and taxi driver Alan Henning, who had been delivering humanitarian aid to Syria.
A third Briton, aid worker David Haines, was killed earlier this month. A video showing the killing of a third Briton, aid worker David Haines, was released earlier this month.
'Psychopathic terrorist killers''Psychopathic terrorist killers'
The group's brutal tactics, which have also included mass killings and abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, triggered the international intervention. IS - which is also known as Isis and Isil - captured broad swathes of Iraq in June, declaring a caliphate in areas it controls in Syria and Iraq.
The group pursues an extreme form of Sunni Islam and has persecuted non-Muslims and Shia Muslims, becoming known for brutal tactics such as beheading soldiers, Western journalists and aid workers.
Mr Cameron said: "When you face a situation with psychopathic terrorist killers in Syria and Iraq, who have already brutally beheaded one of our own citizens, who have already launched and tried to execute plots in our own country to kill and maim innocent people, you have got a choice.Mr Cameron said: "When you face a situation with psychopathic terrorist killers in Syria and Iraq, who have already brutally beheaded one of our own citizens, who have already launched and tried to execute plots in our own country to kill and maim innocent people, you have got a choice.
"We can either stand back from all of this... and say 'this is too difficult, it's too complicated, let's let someone else try to keep our country safe'... or we take the correct decision to say 'let's have a full, comprehensive strategy'.""We can either stand back from all of this... and say 'this is too difficult, it's too complicated, let's let someone else try to keep our country safe'... or we take the correct decision to say 'let's have a full, comprehensive strategy'."
Respect MP George Galloway has warned that the nature of the IS positions mean many civilians may be killed.Respect MP George Galloway has warned that the nature of the IS positions mean many civilians may be killed.
And Lord Richards of Herstmonceux - a former head of the UK military who stepped down as chief of the defence staff last year - told the Sunday Times: "We have to view it as a conventional campaign, which means you have to have boots on the ground.And Lord Richards of Herstmonceux - a former head of the UK military who stepped down as chief of the defence staff last year - told the Sunday Times: "We have to view it as a conventional campaign, which means you have to have boots on the ground.
"This doesn't mean they have to be Western, but you do have to have an army to contain, defeat and destroy. You can't do it by air alone.""This doesn't mean they have to be Western, but you do have to have an army to contain, defeat and destroy. You can't do it by air alone."
He also told the paper: "You can't possibly defeat Isis by only attacking them in Iraq.He also told the paper: "You can't possibly defeat Isis by only attacking them in Iraq.
"How the hell can you win the war when most of your enemy can end up in a country you can't get involved in?""How the hell can you win the war when most of your enemy can end up in a country you can't get involved in?"
But, rejecting these criticisms, Mr Cameron said the UK's strategy was "not some simplistic 'drop a bomb from 40,000 feet and think you can solve a problem'" approach.But, rejecting these criticisms, Mr Cameron said the UK's strategy was "not some simplistic 'drop a bomb from 40,000 feet and think you can solve a problem'" approach.
'Political transition''Political transition'
He said: "We are not trying to defeat Isil from the air alone. We believe you do need troops on the ground - but they should be Iraqi troops, they should be Kurdish troops."He said: "We are not trying to defeat Isil from the air alone. We believe you do need troops on the ground - but they should be Iraqi troops, they should be Kurdish troops."
The prime minister said the use of air strikes was "one part of a comprehensive strategy to build an Iraq that has a democratic, inclusive government for everyone and, in time, Syria needs exactly the same thing".The prime minister said the use of air strikes was "one part of a comprehensive strategy to build an Iraq that has a democratic, inclusive government for everyone and, in time, Syria needs exactly the same thing".
He added: "We support what the Americans and the five Arab nations have done in Syria. We have a Syria strategy - which is to build up the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian National Coalition, to achieve a political transition in Syria."He added: "We support what the Americans and the five Arab nations have done in Syria. We have a Syria strategy - which is to build up the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian National Coalition, to achieve a political transition in Syria."
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon warned that this was "not a 24-hour or 48-hour campaign".Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon warned that this was "not a 24-hour or 48-hour campaign".
He said it would take weeks and months to dislodge IS forces from the territory which they have seized. He said: "This isn't going to be a weekend campaign.
Mr Fallon, who completely ruled out British boots on the ground, said IS could only be defeated in both Syria and Iraq. "This is a campaign that is going to take weeks and probably months to push Isil back, out of the town and villages in western Iraq that they've captured."
He also welcomed what the US and some Gulf nations were achieving in Syria, but said there was no decision for British military intervention to move onto Syria. When asked whether the British military presence was likely to move to Syria, Mr Fallon said: "We think Isil will have to be defeated in both countries, but first we're going to see how we can help best in the campaign in Iraq.
Such a move, he said, would mean a further vote in the House of Commons. "Then, if we need to return to Parliament and ask for fresh authority, there would then be a further debate and a further vote. But we have not taken that decision yet."
Who are Islamic State (IS)?Who are Islamic State (IS)?