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British PM Cameron urges parliament to back “years” of air strikes against ISIS in Iraq | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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David Cameron leaves Downing Street for the House of Commons to win approval from parliament to join US-led air strikes on ISIS in Iraq on September 26, 2014. (Reuters/Neil Hall)


David Cameron leaves Downing Street for the House of Commons to win approval from parliament to join US-led air strikes on ISIS in Iraq on September 26, 2014. (Reuters/Neil Hall)

David Cameron leaves Downing Street for the House of Commons to win approval from parliament to join US-led air strikes on ISIS in Iraq on September 26, 2014. (Reuters/Neil Hall)

London, Reuters—British Prime Minister David Cameron urged parliament on Friday to vote to approve “years” of air strikes against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants in Iraq, saying the group was guilty of “staggering” brutality and posed a direct threat to Britain.

Cameron recalled parliament from recess for a special session after securing cross-party support for strikes against ISIS and his government is expected to comfortably win the vote, which is expected at around 4:00 pm GMT.

“Is there a threat to the British people? The answer is yes,” Cameron told parliament, saying he thought action would need to last “years” to be effective.

“This is not a threat on the far side of the world. Left unchecked we will face a terrorist caliphate on the shores of the Mediterranean and bordering a NATO member, with a declared and proven intention to attack our country and our people.”

Although parliament is expected to vote in favor of air strikes, some lawmakers in Cameron’s Conservative party think striking ISIS in Iraq is insufficient and want him to extend action to tackle ISIS militants in Syria too, something he has said he is not ready to do for now.

Conversely, some lawmakers from the left-leaning opposition Labour party are uncomfortable about the prospect of any kind of military action, but Ed Miliband, the party’s leader, says he backs Cameron on strikes against ISIS in Iraq.