PM Presses Case For RAF Strikes In Syria

The Prime Minister has given his strongest hint yet that he wants the RAF to "step up" and take part in airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.

Speaking to an American television, David Cameron said Britain should "do more" than just provide logistical support for US attacks.

He told NBC's Meet The Press: "We have to destroy this caliphate, whether it is in Iraq or in Syria.

"That is a key part of defeating this terrorist scourge that we face.

"I want Britain to do more.

"Be in no doubt, we're committed to working with you to destroy the caliphate in both countries."

The Prime Minister will outline the Government's strategy on tackling extremism in the UK in a speech on Monday.

RAF Tornado jets have been flying daily sorties against IS targets in Iraq since last year.

But in Syria the RAF's role is limited to supporting US-led strikes - for example providing mid-air refuelling and surveillance.

Mr Cameron said: "We've already carried out more airstrikes in Iraq than anyone else other than the United States.

"I want us to step up and do more, what I call a full-spectrum response."

But he admitted he would need to seek the support of fellow MPs before signing off on strikes over Syria.

"I'll always have to take my Parliament with me," said the Prime Minister.

"We're talking and discussing at the moment, including with the opposition parties in Britain, what more we can do.

"But be it no doubt, we're committed to working with you to destroy the caliphate in both countries."

It emerged this week a handful of British pilots had already been involved in strikes over Syria because they were embedded with US and Canadian forces.

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said they were flying in US Super Hornets off the USS Carl Vinson earlier this year.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said their involvement without Parliament's approval was "a breach of trust with the British people".

In 2013, the Government suffered a crushing defeat after losing a Commons vote over strikes in Syria to deter President Bashar al Assad from using chemical weapons.

The PM will be wary of asking Parliament for the green light unless he is "absolutely certain" of getting approval, said Sky's Deputy Political Editor Joey Jones.

"To suffer a defeat again would be quite a shattering blow to his authority," said Jones.

Labour leadership candidate Yvette Cooper MP told Sky News: "The problem with Syria is that the objectives are simply not clear.

"The Government has never set out what the military objectives would be, what the strategy would be.

"In Syria, you have President Assad who is in power and it's not clear who the troops are on the ground that David Cameron wants us to be supporting."

She added: "Whenever you have a situation where British troops or British armed forces are to be put in harm's way you have to take very seriously any of the proposals.

"You have to scrutinise them very carefully and act with caution."

Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Crispin Blunt MP, told Sky News the situation now was entirely different to that in 2013.

He said: "Islamic State is a profound enemy to us, a profound enemy to our civilisation, and a profound enemy to Sunni Islam."

He is calling for a regional strategy that involves Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia, backed by the UN Security Council permanent members - the UK, US, France, China and Russia.

Mr Blunt said Sunni forces need to lead an operation to take back territory from IS on the ground, assisted by support from the air.

American planes are currently carrying out around 92% of all strikes against IS.

The UK effort - which includes eight Tornado jets and 10 Reaper drones - amounts to about 4%.

Mr Cameron also used the US interview to hammer home how vital it is to fight extremism at home: "We've got to stop the jihadi terrorists from travelling from our country," he said.

"We've got to confiscate passports.

"We've got to make sure we speak up for moderate Islamic voices.

"All of these things need to be done to help keep our world safe."

At least 700 people are thought to have gone to fight with IS and other terror groups.

Security services believe around half have returned to the UK.

A number of women and girls, and recently a family from Bedfordshire , are also believed to have left Britain to live under IS's brutal interpretation of Islam.