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| Syria airstrikes: Britain launches 'offensive operation' after vote to bomb Isis targets – as it happened | Syria airstrikes: Britain launches 'offensive operation' after vote to bomb Isis targets – as it happened |
| (30 days later) | |
| 5.33pm GMT | 5.33pm GMT |
| 17:33 | 17:33 |
| Afternoon summary | Afternoon summary |
| Def Sec: We are doubling UK strike force against #Daesh by sending 2 Tornados & 6 Typhoons to @RoyalAirForce Akrotiri today. | Def Sec: We are doubling UK strike force against #Daesh by sending 2 Tornados & 6 Typhoons to @RoyalAirForce Akrotiri today. |
| Remember that Oldham is 1st by-election since May 2013 where there's been no published polling. | Remember that Oldham is 1st by-election since May 2013 where there's been no published polling. |
| That’s all from us for this evening. Thanks for reading and thanks for all the comments. | That’s all from us for this evening. Thanks for reading and thanks for all the comments. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.49pm GMT | at 5.49pm GMT |
| 4.53pm GMT | 4.53pm GMT |
| 16:53 | 16:53 |
| Britain’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Matthew Rycroft, has written to the president of the security council, Samantha Power, officially notifying her of the UK’s decision to join airstrikes on Syria. | Britain’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Matthew Rycroft, has written to the president of the security council, Samantha Power, officially notifying her of the UK’s decision to join airstrikes on Syria. |
| I am writing to report to the Security Council that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is taking necessary and proportionate measures against ISIL/Daesh in Syria, as called for in resolution 2249, in exercise of the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence. | I am writing to report to the Security Council that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is taking necessary and proportionate measures against ISIL/Daesh in Syria, as called for in resolution 2249, in exercise of the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.47pm GMT | at 5.47pm GMT |
| 4.47pm GMT | 4.47pm GMT |
| 16:47 | 16:47 |
| Mark Tran | Mark Tran |
| My colleague Mark Tran has written a guide to the organisations who will be telling us what’s happening on the ground in Syria. | My colleague Mark Tran has written a guide to the organisations who will be telling us what’s happening on the ground in Syria. |
| As the UK joins the air war on Islamic State in Syria, the government will be updating the public on its version of events, detailing what it believes has been hit. But a more nuanced picture may emerge from other entities equally interested in what is happening on the ground. To get a balanced view observers will be paying attention to multiple sources. | As the UK joins the air war on Islamic State in Syria, the government will be updating the public on its version of events, detailing what it believes has been hit. But a more nuanced picture may emerge from other entities equally interested in what is happening on the ground. To get a balanced view observers will be paying attention to multiple sources. |
| 4.25pm GMT | 4.25pm GMT |
| 16:25 | 16:25 |
| The Guardian’s defence and security expert, Richard Norton-Taylor, has written a blogpost setting out why he thinks airstrikes in Syria are unlikely to have much of an effect on Isis. It’s an interesting read. This is how it starts: | The Guardian’s defence and security expert, Richard Norton-Taylor, has written a blogpost setting out why he thinks airstrikes in Syria are unlikely to have much of an effect on Isis. It’s an interesting read. This is how it starts: |
| “War” on Isis scream the headlines. RAF Tornado strikes, soon after the Commons vote, “dealt a real blow” to Isis-controlled oilfields in eastern Syria, declared Michael Fallon, the defence secretary. | “War” on Isis scream the headlines. RAF Tornado strikes, soon after the Commons vote, “dealt a real blow” to Isis-controlled oilfields in eastern Syria, declared Michael Fallon, the defence secretary. |
| British jets joining US and French bombing strikes on their own will achieve very little in the fight against Isis. The Commons vote enabling British pilots to bomb targets across the border in Syria as well as in Iraq was significant politically and diplomatically (especially in face of appeals from the French government). It will not make our streets any safer. | British jets joining US and French bombing strikes on their own will achieve very little in the fight against Isis. The Commons vote enabling British pilots to bomb targets across the border in Syria as well as in Iraq was significant politically and diplomatically (especially in face of appeals from the French government). It will not make our streets any safer. |
| From the military point of view, it was almost meaningless. Indeed, the point was made by those advocating more bombing. One of their strongest, certainly most valid, questions was: why not enable the RAF to bomb across an Iraqi/Syria border which the enemy itself does not recognise? | From the military point of view, it was almost meaningless. Indeed, the point was made by those advocating more bombing. One of their strongest, certainly most valid, questions was: why not enable the RAF to bomb across an Iraqi/Syria border which the enemy itself does not recognise? |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.41pm GMT | at 4.41pm GMT |
| 3.57pm GMT | 3.57pm GMT |
| 15:57 | 15:57 |
| BuzzFeed News is reporting that Labour will email all party members to warn them that they should not bully or harass MPs, families or constituency staff. The text of the email is expected to be similar to the Facebook post released by Jeremy Corbyn last night. | BuzzFeed News is reporting that Labour will email all party members to warn them that they should not bully or harass MPs, families or constituency staff. The text of the email is expected to be similar to the Facebook post released by Jeremy Corbyn last night. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.12pm GMT | at 4.12pm GMT |
| 3.52pm GMT | 3.52pm GMT |
| 15:52 | 15:52 |
| Owen Bowcott | Owen Bowcott |
| This is from our legal affairs correspondent, Owen Bowcott: | This is from our legal affairs correspondent, Owen Bowcott: |
| The justice secretary, Michael Gove, has scrapped the mandatory criminal courts charge after more than 100 magistrates resigned in protest. | The justice secretary, Michael Gove, has scrapped the mandatory criminal courts charge after more than 100 magistrates resigned in protest. |
| The abrupt U-turn ditches a money-raising scheme introduced by the previous justice secretary, Chris Grayling, that only came into force in April this year. The move is part of a broader Ministry of Justice review of court penalties and fines. | The abrupt U-turn ditches a money-raising scheme introduced by the previous justice secretary, Chris Grayling, that only came into force in April this year. The move is part of a broader Ministry of Justice review of court penalties and fines. |
| Gove made the announcement in an address to the annual meeting of the Magistrates Association in central London. “The basic principle behind the policy – that those who have broken the law should bear some of the costs of running the criminal courts – is right,” Gove said. “However, as the justice select committee set out in its recent report, there have been concerns raised about how this has worked in practice.” | Gove made the announcement in an address to the annual meeting of the Magistrates Association in central London. “The basic principle behind the policy – that those who have broken the law should bear some of the costs of running the criminal courts – is right,” Gove said. “However, as the justice select committee set out in its recent report, there have been concerns raised about how this has worked in practice.” |
| Critics said the criminal courts charge – ranging from £150 up to £1,200 – was unlikely to be collected in many cases and created a perverse incentive for the innocent to plead guilty. | Critics said the criminal courts charge – ranging from £150 up to £1,200 – was unlikely to be collected in many cases and created a perverse incentive for the innocent to plead guilty. |
| Read the full story here. | Read the full story here. |
| 3.39pm GMT | 3.39pm GMT |
| 15:39 | 15:39 |
| The pro-Corbyn, Labour party campaign group, Momentum, has released a statement saying they “strongly disapprove” of any threatening or bullying of MPs, and that they will not campaign to deselect members who voted in favour of airstrikes: | The pro-Corbyn, Labour party campaign group, Momentum, has released a statement saying they “strongly disapprove” of any threatening or bullying of MPs, and that they will not campaign to deselect members who voted in favour of airstrikes: |
| Momentum is disappointed that Parliament voted for Syrian airstrikes last night. We do not believe that David Cameron made the case that bombs will defeat Daesh or improve the lives and security of Syrians, the UK or our allies, and we fear that they may have the opposite effect. | Momentum is disappointed that Parliament voted for Syrian airstrikes last night. We do not believe that David Cameron made the case that bombs will defeat Daesh or improve the lives and security of Syrians, the UK or our allies, and we fear that they may have the opposite effect. |
| Nevertheless, we are pleased that the majority of Labour MPs and the shadow cabinet did oppose David Cameron’s proposal, reflecting the policy of the party conference and the wishes of its members. We also respect and acknowledge the right of all MPs to vote as they have done. | Nevertheless, we are pleased that the majority of Labour MPs and the shadow cabinet did oppose David Cameron’s proposal, reflecting the policy of the party conference and the wishes of its members. We also respect and acknowledge the right of all MPs to vote as they have done. |
| Members of the Labour Party and the public have a right to be heard. Momentum is proud that we assisted over 30,000 people email their MP asking them not to vote for bombing. We believe these messages from the public helped convince some of the 153 Labour and 72 non-Labour MPs who voted against bombing to do so. It can never be a threat to express your views to your elected representative. | Members of the Labour Party and the public have a right to be heard. Momentum is proud that we assisted over 30,000 people email their MP asking them not to vote for bombing. We believe these messages from the public helped convince some of the 153 Labour and 72 non-Labour MPs who voted against bombing to do so. It can never be a threat to express your views to your elected representative. |
| Momentum strongly disapproves of anyone who engages in abusive behaviour towards MPs or anyone else, and threatening or bullying, whether they are outside the Labour Party (as most are) or inside it. We specifically asked our supporters to emulate Jeremy Corbyn, and to keep their messages about the issues and to refrain from any personal attacks. | Momentum strongly disapproves of anyone who engages in abusive behaviour towards MPs or anyone else, and threatening or bullying, whether they are outside the Labour Party (as most are) or inside it. We specifically asked our supporters to emulate Jeremy Corbyn, and to keep their messages about the issues and to refrain from any personal attacks. |
| Momentum is not a threat to MPs who voted for bombing. We have made clear that we will not campaign for the deselection of any MP and will not permit any local Momentum groups to do so. The selection of candidates is entirely a matter for local party members and rightly so. | Momentum is not a threat to MPs who voted for bombing. We have made clear that we will not campaign for the deselection of any MP and will not permit any local Momentum groups to do so. The selection of candidates is entirely a matter for local party members and rightly so. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.10pm GMT | at 4.10pm GMT |
| 3.27pm GMT | 3.27pm GMT |
| 15:27 | 15:27 |
| Speaking in parliament earlier today, the leader of the House of Commons, Chris Grayling, said MPs would be given updates on the military strikes in Syria before parliament broke up for the Christmas recess on 17 December. | Speaking in parliament earlier today, the leader of the House of Commons, Chris Grayling, said MPs would be given updates on the military strikes in Syria before parliament broke up for the Christmas recess on 17 December. |
| Following yesterday’s debate, when MPs on both sides said they would expect regular updates on the situation in Syria, can I inform the house the government intends to provide a proper update statement before the Christmas recess? I’m sure the whole house will want to join me in sending good wishes to the British air crew involved in action overnight. | Following yesterday’s debate, when MPs on both sides said they would expect regular updates on the situation in Syria, can I inform the house the government intends to provide a proper update statement before the Christmas recess? I’m sure the whole house will want to join me in sending good wishes to the British air crew involved in action overnight. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.32pm GMT | at 3.32pm GMT |
| 3.16pm GMT | 3.16pm GMT |
| 15:16 | 15:16 |
| Angela Merkel congratulates Cameron on outcome of vote | Angela Merkel congratulates Cameron on outcome of vote |
| David Cameron has been chatting to Angela Merkel over the phone. According to a Downing Street spokesperson, the German chancellor congratulated Cameron on the outcome of yesterday’s vote to extend airstrikes to Syria. The pair also agreed that it was unlikely Cameron would get an agreement on his EU renegotiation demands at the December European Council meeting. Here’s a statement: | David Cameron has been chatting to Angela Merkel over the phone. According to a Downing Street spokesperson, the German chancellor congratulated Cameron on the outcome of yesterday’s vote to extend airstrikes to Syria. The pair also agreed that it was unlikely Cameron would get an agreement on his EU renegotiation demands at the December European Council meeting. Here’s a statement: |
| The Prime Minister called the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, this morning to talk about the renegotiation of the UK’s membership of the EU ahead of the December European Council. | The Prime Minister called the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, this morning to talk about the renegotiation of the UK’s membership of the EU ahead of the December European Council. |
| They discussed the significant and far-reaching reforms that the Prime Minister has proposed to address the concerns of the British people. They agreed that good progress had been made since the Prime Minister’s letter to the President of the European Council but that there remain difficult issues to resolve. | They discussed the significant and far-reaching reforms that the Prime Minister has proposed to address the concerns of the British people. They agreed that good progress had been made since the Prime Minister’s letter to the President of the European Council but that there remain difficult issues to resolve. |
| The Prime Minister explained that his priority is to get the substance right, underlining the need for legally binding, irreversible changes. He noted that the scale of what we are asking for means we will not resolve this in one go and consequently he did not expect to get agreement at the December European Council. | The Prime Minister explained that his priority is to get the substance right, underlining the need for legally binding, irreversible changes. He noted that the scale of what we are asking for means we will not resolve this in one go and consequently he did not expect to get agreement at the December European Council. |
| Instead, we should keep up the pace of discussions and use the summit for a substantive discussion of the proposed changes in each area. Chancellor Merkel agreed with this approach, emphasising her commitment to finding solutions that will address the concerns of the British people. | Instead, we should keep up the pace of discussions and use the summit for a substantive discussion of the proposed changes in each area. Chancellor Merkel agreed with this approach, emphasising her commitment to finding solutions that will address the concerns of the British people. |
| They also discussed the need to destroy Daesh and to secure agreement on a political solution in Syria. The Prime Minister welcomed Germany’s decision to commit troops and equipment to support the coalition’s efforts and the Chancellor congratulated Prime Minister on the outcome of yesterday’s vote to extend airstrikes to Syria, noting it was impressive that we had already carried out targeted strikes on Daesh’s oil resources. | They also discussed the need to destroy Daesh and to secure agreement on a political solution in Syria. The Prime Minister welcomed Germany’s decision to commit troops and equipment to support the coalition’s efforts and the Chancellor congratulated Prime Minister on the outcome of yesterday’s vote to extend airstrikes to Syria, noting it was impressive that we had already carried out targeted strikes on Daesh’s oil resources. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.33pm GMT | at 3.33pm GMT |
| 3.05pm GMT | 3.05pm GMT |
| 15:05 | 15:05 |
| The MoD’s communications team is in overdrive, with the department’s Twitter account pumping out information. | The MoD’s communications team is in overdrive, with the department’s Twitter account pumping out information. |
| We have answered some of the most common questions on UK air strikes in #Iraq & #Syria here: https://t.co/TZ9RNCqzLa pic.twitter.com/PeN5pACFED | We have answered some of the most common questions on UK air strikes in #Iraq & #Syria here: https://t.co/TZ9RNCqzLa pic.twitter.com/PeN5pACFED |
| The “common questions” include: | The “common questions” include: |
| What steps is the RAF taking to minimise the risk of civilian casualties? | What steps is the RAF taking to minimise the risk of civilian casualties? |
| To which the answer given is: | To which the answer given is: |
| While military operations are never without risk UK forces strive for the highest level of accuracy. That is why the RAF uses precise, low collateral weapons systems supported by thorough intelligence. | While military operations are never without risk UK forces strive for the highest level of accuracy. That is why the RAF uses precise, low collateral weapons systems supported by thorough intelligence. |
| In more than a year of strikes against Daesh targets in Iraq, there have been no reports of civilian casualties resulting from UK air operations. RAF Tornado and Reaper aircraft have flown a total of 1,632 combat missions and have carried out more than 380 successful strikes in Iraq. | In more than a year of strikes against Daesh targets in Iraq, there have been no reports of civilian casualties resulting from UK air operations. RAF Tornado and Reaper aircraft have flown a total of 1,632 combat missions and have carried out more than 380 successful strikes in Iraq. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.34pm GMT | at 3.34pm GMT |
| 2.55pm GMT | 2.55pm GMT |
| 14:55 | 14:55 |
| It’s Frances Perraudin here, taking over from Haroon for the rest of the afternoon. | It’s Frances Perraudin here, taking over from Haroon for the rest of the afternoon. |
| Here is a Ministry of Defence blogpost about the media coverage of the airstrikes. | Here is a Ministry of Defence blogpost about the media coverage of the airstrikes. |
| More on last night's vote on military action in #Syria #DefeatingDaesh in today's blog https://t.co/YKUswKXYqM pic.twitter.com/DlBJ4Xiicx | More on last night's vote on military action in #Syria #DefeatingDaesh in today's blog https://t.co/YKUswKXYqM pic.twitter.com/DlBJ4Xiicx |
| And here is an interesting extract: | And here is an interesting extract: |
| The Financial Times reports on yesterday’s news that Montenegro has been invited to become the 29th Nato nation. The paper writes that the move is Nato’s first enlargement for six years, and that it could provoke possible retaliation from Russia, which has portrayed Nato enlargement into former communist eastern Europe as a threat to its borders. The Wall Street Journal also carries this story. | The Financial Times reports on yesterday’s news that Montenegro has been invited to become the 29th Nato nation. The paper writes that the move is Nato’s first enlargement for six years, and that it could provoke possible retaliation from Russia, which has portrayed Nato enlargement into former communist eastern Europe as a threat to its borders. The Wall Street Journal also carries this story. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.35pm GMT | at 3.35pm GMT |
| 2.28pm GMT | 2.28pm GMT |
| 14:28 | 14:28 |
| There’s been a lot today about the proclaimed magnificence of Hilary Benn’s speech but in the interests of balance, here are a couple of less flattering descriptions. | There’s been a lot today about the proclaimed magnificence of Hilary Benn’s speech but in the interests of balance, here are a couple of less flattering descriptions. |
| Brendan O’Neill in the Spectator writes: | Brendan O’Neill in the Spectator writes: |
| Benn’s speech, and the feverish reaction to it, confirms that British politicians, especially Labourite ones, really, really miss the Second World War. They crave the moral certainty of that conflict that pitted Us against the worst Them imaginable: a vast, murderous system of Nazism. | Benn’s speech, and the feverish reaction to it, confirms that British politicians, especially Labourite ones, really, really miss the Second World War. They crave the moral certainty of that conflict that pitted Us against the worst Them imaginable: a vast, murderous system of Nazism. |
| This is why Benn madly talked about the decision to fire a few rockets at the godforsaken city of Raqqa in the same breath as Britain’s long slog of a war against Hitler and Mussolini. Such a comparison is the height of historical illiteracy. | This is why Benn madly talked about the decision to fire a few rockets at the godforsaken city of Raqqa in the same breath as Britain’s long slog of a war against Hitler and Mussolini. Such a comparison is the height of historical illiteracy. |
| Yes, Isis is the nastiest death cult on Earth right now, and I would like to see it put down with extreme prejudice, ideally by the valiant Kurds, who aren’t afraid to engage in the kind of boots-on-the-ground, gun-toting combat that might actually finish off those barbaric theocrats. | Yes, Isis is the nastiest death cult on Earth right now, and I would like to see it put down with extreme prejudice, ideally by the valiant Kurds, who aren’t afraid to engage in the kind of boots-on-the-ground, gun-toting combat that might actually finish off those barbaric theocrats. |
| But in terms of size, reach, politics, outlook and just about everything else, the head-choppers of Isis are not comparable to the exterminators of Nazi Europe. Isis is not about to take France, or govern Italy, or claim 20m lives in a ground war with Russia. | But in terms of size, reach, politics, outlook and just about everything else, the head-choppers of Isis are not comparable to the exterminators of Nazi Europe. Isis is not about to take France, or govern Italy, or claim 20m lives in a ground war with Russia. |
| Writing for Vice, Sam Kriss is equally scathing: | Writing for Vice, Sam Kriss is equally scathing: |
| Hilary Benn’s speech was not the masterstroke of a consummate statesman; it was disingenuous nonsense. Even on the level of pure rhetoric: he imitated better speakers by occasionally varying his tone, rising from a sincere whisper to tub-thumping declamation without much regard for the actual content of what he was saying; this is now apparently what passes from great oratory. The speech was liberally garnished with dull clichés: “clear and present danger”, “safe haven”, “shoulder to shoulder”, “play our part”, “do our bit”. He said “Daesh” a lot, and mispronounced it every time. | Hilary Benn’s speech was not the masterstroke of a consummate statesman; it was disingenuous nonsense. Even on the level of pure rhetoric: he imitated better speakers by occasionally varying his tone, rising from a sincere whisper to tub-thumping declamation without much regard for the actual content of what he was saying; this is now apparently what passes from great oratory. The speech was liberally garnished with dull clichés: “clear and present danger”, “safe haven”, “shoulder to shoulder”, “play our part”, “do our bit”. He said “Daesh” a lot, and mispronounced it every time. |
| And then there’s what he actually said. Hilary Benn has form here: he voted for the 2003 war in Iraq (making him far more responsible for the rise of Isis than some of the people who will die in the airstrikes he’s so passionately promoting) and the disastrous 2011 air war in Libya. Much of his speech is familiar invocation of the just war doctrine: laying out the brutality of Isis, as if the eight British jets we’re sending could put an end to it; asking “what message would [not acting] send?”, as if the self-image of the British state were worth a single innocent life. | And then there’s what he actually said. Hilary Benn has form here: he voted for the 2003 war in Iraq (making him far more responsible for the rise of Isis than some of the people who will die in the airstrikes he’s so passionately promoting) and the disastrous 2011 air war in Libya. Much of his speech is familiar invocation of the just war doctrine: laying out the brutality of Isis, as if the eight British jets we’re sending could put an end to it; asking “what message would [not acting] send?”, as if the self-image of the British state were worth a single innocent life. |
| 2.09pm GMT | 2.09pm GMT |
| 14:09 | 14:09 |
| Here’s footage of David Cameron discussing how military action in Syria will “take time”. | Here’s footage of David Cameron discussing how military action in Syria will “take time”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.36pm GMT | at 3.36pm GMT |
| 2.00pm GMT | 2.00pm GMT |
| 14:00 | 14:00 |
| The shadow work and pensions secretarym Owen Smith, who opposed airstrikes, has branded Ken Livingstone’s backing for deselections “disgraceful”. | The shadow work and pensions secretarym Owen Smith, who opposed airstrikes, has branded Ken Livingstone’s backing for deselections “disgraceful”. |
| He told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: | He told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: |
| I think that’s a disgraceful thing to say, and I certainly wouldn’t support that in any way, shape or form, and I don’t think that is reflected by a majority or even a significant minority in the Labour party. | I think that’s a disgraceful thing to say, and I certainly wouldn’t support that in any way, shape or form, and I don’t think that is reflected by a majority or even a significant minority in the Labour party. |
| Livingstone suggested that party members could not be denied the right to try to oust someone they did not agree with, saying that he had been the subject of deselection attempts from the right wing of the party in the past. He condemned abuse on Twitter, but said people had a right to express their genuine belief that they want an MP who supports the Labour leader. | Livingstone suggested that party members could not be denied the right to try to oust someone they did not agree with, saying that he had been the subject of deselection attempts from the right wing of the party in the past. He condemned abuse on Twitter, but said people had a right to express their genuine belief that they want an MP who supports the Labour leader. |
| Smith said abuse of MPs who backed airstrikes was “despicable”. | Smith said abuse of MPs who backed airstrikes was “despicable”. |
| The people who voted with the government yesterday evening did so with good conscience and on the merits of the case that they saw, and I know many of them wrestled with that decision. | The people who voted with the government yesterday evening did so with good conscience and on the merits of the case that they saw, and I know many of them wrestled with that decision. |
| We must not in any way demean them for making that absolutely justified and understandable decision. There is no room in our party, of all parties, for abuse. | We must not in any way demean them for making that absolutely justified and understandable decision. There is no room in our party, of all parties, for abuse. |
| Asked whether David Cameron was concerned about reports of MPs being bullied, a Downing Street spokesman said: | Asked whether David Cameron was concerned about reports of MPs being bullied, a Downing Street spokesman said: |
| The prime minister’s key view on this is it’s fundamental that MPs are able to express their views and set out their positions in the House on issues of great importance such as the debate we had yesterday. | The prime minister’s key view on this is it’s fundamental that MPs are able to express their views and set out their positions in the House on issues of great importance such as the debate we had yesterday. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.37pm GMT | at 3.37pm GMT |
| 1.52pm GMT | 1.52pm GMT |
| 13:52 | 13:52 |
| The bombing of oil fields in Syria robs civilians of the infrastructure they depend upon in their day-to-day lives and will further alienate the local people from the western cause, experts on the Middle East have warned (quotes from PA). | The bombing of oil fields in Syria robs civilians of the infrastructure they depend upon in their day-to-day lives and will further alienate the local people from the western cause, experts on the Middle East have warned (quotes from PA). |
| Tim Eaton, a Middle East analyst and the project manager for Chatham House’s Syria and Its Neighbours Policy Initiative, said: | Tim Eaton, a Middle East analyst and the project manager for Chatham House’s Syria and Its Neighbours Policy Initiative, said: |
| What happens a lot of the time is that we are presented with this premise that bombing terrorists is a good thing to do and that we oppose Isis and that there may be some civilian casualties which are unfortunate collateral in those strikes. | What happens a lot of the time is that we are presented with this premise that bombing terrorists is a good thing to do and that we oppose Isis and that there may be some civilian casualties which are unfortunate collateral in those strikes. |
| What we often do not consider is that even soft targets such as oil infrastructure and the infrastructure targets that the defence secretary was talking about today in IS-controlled areas are also the infrastructure that the civilians in those areas rely upon. | What we often do not consider is that even soft targets such as oil infrastructure and the infrastructure targets that the defence secretary was talking about today in IS-controlled areas are also the infrastructure that the civilians in those areas rely upon. |
| Taking out oil at the well-head means that while Isis is unable to generate profit from the sale of that oil, civilians that rely on it to heat their homes and run their vehicles will no longer have it. | Taking out oil at the well-head means that while Isis is unable to generate profit from the sale of that oil, civilians that rely on it to heat their homes and run their vehicles will no longer have it. |
| Striking oil wells could prove disastrous in trying to win the Syrian people over to the western cause, Eaton continued: | Striking oil wells could prove disastrous in trying to win the Syrian people over to the western cause, Eaton continued: |
| When we think about defeating Isis in the long term, we have to understand that it is about winning over those people. In this sense, airstrikes also hurt those people as well as Isis. | When we think about defeating Isis in the long term, we have to understand that it is about winning over those people. In this sense, airstrikes also hurt those people as well as Isis. |
| It sounds great to degrade Isis’s finances and tackle them that way. It sounds like a humane way of tackling them and limiting Isis’s impact. But it is impossible to completely disassociate that impact on Isis from the impact on the people in the areas that they govern. | It sounds great to degrade Isis’s finances and tackle them that way. It sounds like a humane way of tackling them and limiting Isis’s impact. But it is impossible to completely disassociate that impact on Isis from the impact on the people in the areas that they govern. |
| We have seen in places like Gaza previously where sanctions have been applied on groups that are controlling areas that it does not necessarily mean that it will decrease their popularity. Often it can increase their popularity and fuel their narrative of being targeted and unfairly treated and that is also a risk with Isis. | We have seen in places like Gaza previously where sanctions have been applied on groups that are controlling areas that it does not necessarily mean that it will decrease their popularity. Often it can increase their popularity and fuel their narrative of being targeted and unfairly treated and that is also a risk with Isis. |
| David Butter, an expert in politics and the economy in Syria, said there was a difference between striking existing oil wellheads and Isis-built improvised refineries. | David Butter, an expert in politics and the economy in Syria, said there was a difference between striking existing oil wellheads and Isis-built improvised refineries. |
| A year ago, the United States thought it could disrupt Isis oil operations by focusing on the improvised refineries. But in October they decided to get a little more intensive and started attacking wellheads, which are in a sense part of Syria’s national infrastructure. | A year ago, the United States thought it could disrupt Isis oil operations by focusing on the improvised refineries. But in October they decided to get a little more intensive and started attacking wellheads, which are in a sense part of Syria’s national infrastructure. |
| Syria’s national government issued a statement complaining about the attacks on these facilities. | Syria’s national government issued a statement complaining about the attacks on these facilities. |
| The bottom line is that people in Syria need diesel for operating their farm machinery and heating their homes. Possibly the people who are most vulnerable to these strikes are the anti-Assad regime rebels. | The bottom line is that people in Syria need diesel for operating their farm machinery and heating their homes. Possibly the people who are most vulnerable to these strikes are the anti-Assad regime rebels. |
| Butter said oil sales make up roughly a quarter of Isis’s total income in some areas, but insists that the monetary value of the oil trade to the terrorist group remains arguable. | Butter said oil sales make up roughly a quarter of Isis’s total income in some areas, but insists that the monetary value of the oil trade to the terrorist group remains arguable. |
| From what I know about the fields where they are present, they would be in a position to produce 30,000 to 40,000 oil barrels a day at most. The oilfields where they operate are in steep decline and are complicated to operate. | From what I know about the fields where they are present, they would be in a position to produce 30,000 to 40,000 oil barrels a day at most. The oilfields where they operate are in steep decline and are complicated to operate. |
| You are talking about really very small amounts of oil which gets distributed in ever-smaller parcels. | You are talking about really very small amounts of oil which gets distributed in ever-smaller parcels. |
| Much of the terrorist group’s income comes from what they refer to as “confiscation and fees”, or taxes on people living within Isis-controlled areas, Butter said. | Much of the terrorist group’s income comes from what they refer to as “confiscation and fees”, or taxes on people living within Isis-controlled areas, Butter said. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.39pm GMT | at 3.39pm GMT |
| 1.39pm GMT | 1.39pm GMT |
| 13:39 | 13:39 |
| Severin Carrell | Severin Carrell |
| Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has added her protest to complaints from Scottish politicians, including the SNP Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, about the vote in favour of airstrikes, which exposed a substantial geographical divide between MPs. | Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has added her protest to complaints from Scottish politicians, including the SNP Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, about the vote in favour of airstrikes, which exposed a substantial geographical divide between MPs. |
| Only two of Scotland’s 59 MPs voted in favour, while 55 sitting and suspended Scottish National party MPs and Labour’s only Scottish MP opposed the bombing. Maps showing that split were being circulated on Twitter by pro-independence campaigners. | Only two of Scotland’s 59 MPs voted in favour, while 55 sitting and suspended Scottish National party MPs and Labour’s only Scottish MP opposed the bombing. Maps showing that split were being circulated on Twitter by pro-independence campaigners. |
| Divided Kingdom: light red vote against bombing Syria, dark red voted in favour. https://t.co/wfjASldVpx #SyriaVote pic.twitter.com/3myFI4fkvY | Divided Kingdom: light red vote against bombing Syria, dark red voted in favour. https://t.co/wfjASldVpx #SyriaVote pic.twitter.com/3myFI4fkvY |
| Sturgeon said she hoped British personnel involved in the operation returned home safely, but told first minister’s questions: | Sturgeon said she hoped British personnel involved in the operation returned home safely, but told first minister’s questions: |
| I remain deeply troubled by the decision of the UK government to take the country into conflict with no strategy, no exit plan and against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Scottish MPs. | I remain deeply troubled by the decision of the UK government to take the country into conflict with no strategy, no exit plan and against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Scottish MPs. |
| The Scottish Labour leader, Kezia Dugdale, said she opposed the airstrikes decision, as the backlash over that split vote saw former SNP leader Alex Salmond and the SNP MP George Kerevan under attack for stating on radio and on Twitter that Tony Benn would be “turning in his grave” at his son Hilary’s impassioned speech in favour of airstrikes. | The Scottish Labour leader, Kezia Dugdale, said she opposed the airstrikes decision, as the backlash over that split vote saw former SNP leader Alex Salmond and the SNP MP George Kerevan under attack for stating on radio and on Twitter that Tony Benn would be “turning in his grave” at his son Hilary’s impassioned speech in favour of airstrikes. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.13pm GMT | at 3.13pm GMT |
| 1.25pm GMT | 1.25pm GMT |
| 13:25 | 13:25 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.09pm GMT | at 3.09pm GMT |
| 1.04pm GMT | 1.04pm GMT |
| 13:04 | 13:04 |
| Hilary Benn, widely lauded for his speech during last night’s debate, has praised the men and women who will carry out airstrikes on Syria. | Hilary Benn, widely lauded for his speech during last night’s debate, has praised the men and women who will carry out airstrikes on Syria. |
| 12.59pm GMT | 12.59pm GMT |
| 12:59 | 12:59 |
| David Cameron has said Britain’s “complex and difficult” military action in Syria “is going to take time” and will require patience and persistence. | David Cameron has said Britain’s “complex and difficult” military action in Syria “is going to take time” and will require patience and persistence. |
| The defence secretary, Michael Fallon, indicated earlier that it could take years. | The defence secretary, Michael Fallon, indicated earlier that it could take years. |