UK launches first Syria air strikes after MPs approval

The strikes came hours after MPs voted in favour of UK action in Syria.

They backed the action by 397 votes to 223 after a 10-hour debate in the House of Commons.

Four Tornado jets took off from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, shortly after the vote.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the sorties had returned from the "first offensive operation over Syria and have conducted strikes".

Two of the four Tornados arrived back in Cyprus just over three hours after they left the base, landing shortly before 03:00 GMT.

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said the pair of Tornados had left RAF Akrotiri with three 500lb Paveway bombs each and returned to base without those weapons.

The Ministry of Defence is expected to give details of their targets later on Thursday, he added.

The RAF was already carrying out operations against IS in Iraq.

Following the vote, Prime Minister David Cameron said MPs had "taken the right decision to keep the country safe" but opponents said the move was a mistake.

A total of 66 Labour MPs sided with the government as Mr Cameron secured a larger than expected Commons majority.

Welcoming the Commons result, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain was "safer because of the actions taken by MPs today".

He added: "Military strikes alone won't help Syria, won't keep us safe from Daesh. But this multi-strand approach will."

 

(BBC)