David Cameron calls for support of British air strikes’ targeting Islamic State in Syria

British prime minister David Cameron has urged MPs to protect the British public by backing air strikes against Islamic State (IS) strongholds in Syria.

In an impassioned Commons statement, Cameron said the terrorist group was plotting atrocities against the UK and it was morally unacceptable to leave the US, France, and other allies to carry the burden of the fight.

He said there was strong legal justification for extending the current military action in Iraq, on grounds of self-defence and the recent UN Security Council resolution.

However, he said he would not call a vote in parliament unless there was a clear majority in favour.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned of unintended consequences, while the SNP signalled its MPs would be likely to oppose the move.

Setting out what he described as a “comprehensive” strategy to deal with the threat from IS, Cameron admitted it could not be defeated by air strikes alone.

U.K.'s David Cameron presents case for anti-IS airstrikes on Syria https://t.co/hKjvLAScuK

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) November 26, 2015

However, he argued that targeting bases in Syria was necessary to “degrade” the terrorists’ capability to prepare attacks in other parts of the world.

“The reason for acting is the very direct threat that Isil poses to our country and our way of life,” he said.

“They have already taken the lives of British hostages and inspired the worst terrorist attack against British people since 7/7 on the beaches of Tunisia.”

Cameron said seven attacks over the past year had been linked to IS or inspired by its propaganda.

“We do face a fundamental threat to our security. We can’t wait for a political transition.

"We have to hit these terrorists in their heartlands right now and we must not shirk our responsibility for security or hand it to others,” he said.

“Throughout our history, the United Kingdom has stood up to defend our values and our way of life. We can, and we must, do so again.”

Referring to the recent deadly terrorist attacks on Paris, he said: “If we won’t act now, when our friend and ally France has been struck in this way, then our friends and allies can be forgiven for asking: If not now, when?”

Cameron, who ruled out deploying British ground forces, said he was pursuing an “IS-first” strategy while continuing to work for long-term peace for Syria.

Cameron lost a vote on air strikes against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s forces in 2013 and must persuade members of his own party and the opposition Labour Party to back him if he is to win parliament’s support for military action.

Cameron said he did not want to hand IS a “propaganda coup” by losing a vote.

He has not set a timetable for any vote but said earlier this week parliament would be able to consider his case over the weekend, prompting many to expect he could push for a vote as early as next week.