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Syria air strikes conducted by UK military pilots Syria air strikes conducted by UK military pilots
(35 minutes later)
UK pilots embedded with coalition allies' forces have conducted air strikes against the Islamic State group over Syria. UK pilots embedded with coalition allies' forces have been conducting air strikes over Syria against the Islamic State group, it has emerged.
The nations who have taken part in strikes include the US and Canada - but the British House of Commons voted in 2013 against military action in Syria. This is despite UK MPs voting in 2013 against military action in Syria.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said MPs' approval would be needed before any new UK action in Syria. About 20 personnel, including three pilots, have been embedded with US, Canadian and French forces, the BBC understands.
The UK defence secretary has recently urged MPs to back UK involvement in Syria.
Michael Fallon has said MPs' approval would be needed before any new action.
The Ministry of Defence said the pilots were operating as foreign troops.The Ministry of Defence said the pilots were operating as foreign troops.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, submitted by the human rights group Reprieve, the MoD confirmed that some UK military personnel had been involved in military action against IS over Syrian airspace.In response to a Freedom of Information request, submitted by the human rights group Reprieve, the MoD confirmed that some UK military personnel had been involved in military action against IS over Syrian airspace.
The MoD said the UK personnel embedded with US, Canadian and French forces and under their chain of command were authorised to take part in those nations' operations.
Parliament approved UK bombing of militant positions in Iraq last year. However, MPs were not asked at the time to authorise strikes across the border in Syria.Parliament approved UK bombing of militant positions in Iraq last year. However, MPs were not asked at the time to authorise strikes across the border in Syria.
Earlier this month Mr Fallon urged MPs to consider backing air strikes on IS in Syria.Earlier this month Mr Fallon urged MPs to consider backing air strikes on IS in Syria.
The UK does not need the authorisation of MPs to launch raids but Mr Fallon has said they will have the final say.The UK does not need the authorisation of MPs to launch raids but Mr Fallon has said they will have the final say.
Labour has indicated it would not oppose military action in Syria. Acting leader Harriet Harman has said the case for air strikes was now different to the situation in 2013, when Labour voted against UK military action in Syria.Labour has indicated it would not oppose military action in Syria. Acting leader Harriet Harman has said the case for air strikes was now different to the situation in 2013, when Labour voted against UK military action in Syria.
Britain has already been carrying out surveillance and air-to-air refuelling operations over Syria.Britain has already been carrying out surveillance and air-to-air refuelling operations over Syria.
A spokesman for the MoD, which refers to IS as Isil, said: "The UK is contributing to the anti-Isil coalition air campaign against Isil targets in Syria through the provision of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.A spokesman for the MoD, which refers to IS as Isil, said: "The UK is contributing to the anti-Isil coalition air campaign against Isil targets in Syria through the provision of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
"Isil poses a direct threat to the UK and to countries around the world. The UK is not conducting air strikes in Syria and the government has made clear it would return to Parliament if it proposed doing so."Isil poses a direct threat to the UK and to countries around the world. The UK is not conducting air strikes in Syria and the government has made clear it would return to Parliament if it proposed doing so.
"We have a long-standing embed programme with allies but there are currently no pilots taking part in this region. When embedded, UK personnel are effectively operating as foreign troops.""We have a long-standing embed programme with allies but there are currently no pilots taking part in this region. When embedded, UK personnel are effectively operating as foreign troops."
The MoD said UK pilots are not currently taking part in the region, but ministers would have been aware of their recent role.The MoD said UK pilots are not currently taking part in the region, but ministers would have been aware of their recent role.
Reprieve said the debate about whether the UK should expand its military action to include Syria was now obsolete and that the government should "come clean" about what its armed forces were already doing.Reprieve said the debate about whether the UK should expand its military action to include Syria was now obsolete and that the government should "come clean" about what its armed forces were already doing.