Isis: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon predicts two to three-year campaign in Iraq
MPs to vote on measures tomorrow
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Government kept the option of UK air strikes against Isis in Syria open today, even though MPs are set to vote to limit action against the jihadist group in Iraq.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said it was the new Iraqi government that the UK needed to help first. In an interview with Parliament’s The House magazine, he accepted that Syria was “different” but added: “We shouldn’t resile from direct military action if Isis is going to be defeated. This isn’t about containment. This is about the defeat of Isis.”
Mr Fallon suggested that UK armed forces will be engaged in Iraq for a “long haul” of at least “two to three years".
In an emergency Commons debate tomorrow to be opened by David Cameron, an overwhelming majority of MPs is expected to authorise air strikes in Iraq and they could begin within hours of the vote. The Cabinet discussed its strategy today.
Mr Fallon’s remarks will fuel fears among some MPs about “mission creep” in which UK intervention spreads to Syria because Isis operates there and does not recognise the border with Iraq.
Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, will support action in Iraq but will make clear that he is not giving a black cheque for it to extend to Syria. There are legal doubts about action in Syria because, unlike Iraq, its government has not requested help in the fight against Isis.
The Liberal Democrats are also limiting their backing to bombing in Iraq. Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, told LBC radio today that any proposal to take action in Syria would be put to a fresh vote in Parliament.
“If we were to decide to play a fuller role behind Iraq and in Syria, then we’d go back to Parliament for another debate and a vote,” he said.
In an echo of the 2003 Iraq War, Downing Street published a summary of the legal advice on intervening in Iraq given by the Attorney General Jeremy Wright to today's Cabinet meeting, which backed air strikes.
It said: "The Government is satisfied that the consent of Iraq provides a clear and unequivocal legal basis for the deployment of UK forces and military assets to take military action to strike Isis sites and military strongholds in Iraq.
"The UK will conduct military action in accordance with applicable international law, including international humanitarian law."
The Cabinet agreed the Commons resolution to be debated tomorrow, which says: "This motion does not endorse UK air strikes in Syria as part of this campaign, and any proposal to do so would be subject to a separate vote in Parliament. [The] Government will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments