Britain poised to launch air strikes against IS targets

Britain was last night poised ed to launch air strikes against Islamic State (IS) jihadists in northern Iraq after its parliament overwhelmingly approved military action.

RAF planes could be called into action as early as today to carry out the strikes.

At the end of a Commons debate lasting six and a half hours, MPs voted by 524 to 43 — a majority of 481 — to endorse attacks on the militants in Iraq in support of the US-led coalition, with Labour backing the government motion.