UK drops bombs in Syria after MPs vote to back war

UK air strikes have begun against terrorist targets in Syria after MPs voted to back military action last night by 397 to 223.

Defence secretary Michael Fallon confirmed to the BBC this morning RAF Tornado fighters had carried out raids on oil fields in east Syria overnight.

Sixty six Labour MPs voted with the Conservative Government for war after a ten-hour debate, including eleven members of the front bench.

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153 Labour MPs voted against and were joined by seven Conservatives and all 54 of the SNP MPs.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the Commons had “taken the right decision to keep the country safe”.

“The question is this: do we work with our allies to degrade and destroy this threat and do we go after these terrorists in their heartlands, from where they are plotting to kill British people. Or do we sit back and wait for them to attack us," he said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn questioned the Prime Minister’s claim that there were 70,000 ‘moderate’ ground forces available to support British action.

“The only ground forces able to take advantage of a successful anti-ISIL air campaign are stronger jihadist and salafist groups close to ISIL-controlled areas.”

The SNP Commons leader Angus Robertson said Scotland had been “dragged into a war” with no exit strategy.

“The UK Government is going to have a huge problem with legitimacy and mandate for this operation in Syria from the people of Scotland. Quite simply the case for bombing Syria has not been made,” he said.