
A second night of bombing raids against ISIS began this evening after David Cameron warned that the fight against terror in Syria will 'take some time' and the Defence Secretary suggested that Britain could be embroiled in war for years.

This morning, seven precision-guided 500lb Paveway bombs were dropped on ISIS-controlled oil fields during two separate raids by Tornado jets flying out from RAF Akrotiri, in Cyprus, in a bid to disrupt the revenues which the jihadist group depends on to wage terror around the world.

The MoD said that the raids, launched less than an hour after MPs overwhelmingly authorised action in a vote last night, appeared to be 'successful' as military sources vowed to target 'the head of the snake'.

This evening two more Tornado jets have flown out from Cyprus for more bombing raids against ISIS targets.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said, 'We are going after them,' but added that the campaign 'is not going to be quick', suggesting it will last for years rather than months as he hailed the crunch Commons vote which saw a majority of 174 MPs back 'action to tackle this menace'.

Raids: British Tornado bombers returning to their base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after flying air raids over ISIS targets in Syria; the jet on the left was missing one of its three Paveway missiles having dropped a bomb on an oil field

Mission: Typhoons, inlcuding the one pictured, are among the extra fighter jets to have flown to RAF Akrotiri to join in air strikes in Syria

A Tornado on the runway at RAF Akrotiri following the first bombing raids in Syria this morning

Equipment: This image shows the bombs and laser guidance attached to a Tornado jet after it had dropped one Paveway bomb in Syria, along with chaff dispensers which help to avoid the plane being detected by radar systems

Bombing: The initial targets hit by the Tornado planes, pictured, were ISIS-controlled oil fields which provide the terror group with its revenues

On the runway: Two of the Tornados which carried out the first bombing raids pictured after their return to Cyprus

Assistance: A Voyager refuelling tanker lands at RAF Akrotiri after supporting the Tornados on their mission over Syria

Hardware: The Tornado jet, pictured on the runway at RAF Akrotiei in Cyprus this evening, carries Paveway bombs and Brimstone missiles

This afternoon, six Eurofighter Typhoons touched down at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to join the war against ISIS, after flying from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland at around 8am.

Two Tornado warplanes also travelled from RAF Marham in Norfolk. The eight aircraft doubled the number of jets already stationed at the base.

The Typhoons - which are not equipped with precision Brimstone missiles - are likely to be deployed over Iraq to drop bombs on larger targets and free up other Tornado jets for Syria.

The Tornado GR4 aircraft offers a new capability for the coalition forces because the Brimstone missile it carries can track moving targets. This could include a jihadist on a motorbike travelling at 70mph and will be useful in places such as Raqqa, where targets have been difficult to isolate and catch.

Mr Cameron welcomed the start of operations today, but warned the public that it would not end quickly. The Prime Minister said: 'We are going to need to be patient and persistent. This is going to take time. It is complex, it is difficult what we are asking our pilots to do, and our thoughts should be with them and their families.

'There will be strong support from our allies because they wanted us to join them in taking this action.

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'There will be very strong support from Muslim countries, Gulf countries, that have asked to us to take part in this action as part of a process that will help to deliver the political and diplomatic change that we need in Syria as well,' added the Prime Minister, who is visiting Bulgaria today.

A military source told the Evening Standard: 'We are going after the head of the snake, but it's also about going after its wallet'.

Mr Cameron boasted Britain is 'safer' after the House of Commons backed his proposal to extend military action in Syria by 397 votes to 223 - a majority of 174.

Some 66 Labour MPs defied their pacifist leader Jeremy Corbyn to back the Tory government, after Mr Cameron warned Britain had to strike at the heart of ISIS or 'wait for them to attack us'.

Within hours of the vote,Tornado GR4 jets and a Voyager refuelling tanker took off from RAF Marham, Norfolk for Cyprus. Six Typhoon jets later deployed from RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, doubling the number of attack aircraft at the British base, which has already played a key role in Iraq strikes.

Targeting oil fields is intended to disrupt the source of the revenue which ISIS needs to fund its military operations as well as the running of its self-styled 'state' which straddles the borders of Syria and Iraq.

In last night's mission, RAF Tornado GR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker and a Reaper drone carried out airstrikes against the Omar oilfield, 35 miles inside Syria's eastern border with Iraq, at an estimated cost of £300,000.

Paveway IV guided bombs worth £22,000 each were used to conduct strikes against six targets.

The MoD added: 'The Omar oilfield is one of the largest and most important to Daesh's financial operations, and represents over 10 per cent of their potential income from oil.

'Carefully selected elements of the oilfield infrastructure were targeted, ensuring the strikes will have a significant impact on Daesh's ability to extract the oil to fund their terrorism.'

First blood: The Omar oil field (pictured via satellite) near Syria's border with Iraq was the first target to be struck by the RAF

Touchdown: A Tornado bomber arriving at RAF Akrotiri preparing for air strikes on Syria

Convoy: Four Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth flying in formation as they came in to land at Akrotiri this evening

Transport: This RAF Airbus A400M, a military passenger plane, is supporting the operations at the Cyprus base

Flight: A pilot in the cockpit after landing at Akrotiri this evening

Within minutes of a yes vote in Parliament, British jets were due to cross the border to wipe out jihadists in their heartland. This graphic shows the military action that will now be undertaken against ISIS from British warplanes, Reaper drones and Hellfire missiles

Hit: The Omar oil field in eastern Syria was the first target to be bombed by RAF forces

David Cameron met Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov in Sofia as he welcomed the start of operations today, but warned the public that it would not end quickly

Mr Fallon authorised the action minutes after the Commons vote which followed a marathon 10-and-a-half hour debate.

But he warned that the campaign would not be over quickly, telling BBC News: 'The American estimate of the campaign in Iraq, which began last year, was that it would last at least three years and we're not halfway through that yet.

'The operations there by the coalition have lasted just over a year and the Prime Minister has been pretty clear that this is going to be a long campaign to ensure that Daesh are thrown out of Iraq and that they are degraded and defeated in eastern Syria. This is not going to be quick.'

But he insisted Britain could not leave its national security to other airforces.

'What was really important about the vote last night was that it confirmed that Britain is a serious ally, that we've come to the aid of France who requested us to help with our RAF planes, that we've responded to the call of the United Nations on all members of the United Nations to do something to suppress this terrorism and to eradicate the safe haven that the Daesh has.

'So we're now responding to that. It's going to take time, but I'm very pleased now that right across Parliament last night there was a clear and decisive majority for action to tackle this menace – because it's a menace to us in the UK.'

But after William Hague suggested that the West would have to consider deploying 'small specialist ground forces' to defeat ISIS and end Syria's civil war, Mr Fallon added: 'It is not at all likely that our troops will be involved.'

Asked whether Britain was safer this morning, he said: 'Yes. We were already involved in the fight against terrorism in Iraq and it made no sense to be able to attack targets one side of an artificial border that the terrorists themselves don't respect and not attack the other side.

'We were already in this fight, we have already seen our own citizens, holidaymakers slaughtered on a beach in Tunisia, one other British citizen killed in the attacks in Paris.'

Mr Fallon confirmed that eight more jets - two Tornados and six Typhoons - were being sent to Akrotiri to join the attacks.

'We are doubling our strike force,' he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. 'The additional eight aircraft being sent to Akrotiri are now in the air and on their way. These are the aircraft that the coalition have been asking for.'

Coming to help: Typhoon jets set off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to join the Tornados in Cyprus

Lift-off: A Typhoon on the runway at Lossiemouth this morning about to take off for RAF Akrotiri

In the air: The Typhoon heads to the Middle East, where it will carry out bombing missions

Prepared: Typhoon jets will join Tornados in flying bombing raids over ISIS sites in Syria

Crew: An RAF Airbus A400M Atlas left Lossiemouth apparently containing military personnel to assist in Cyprus

Called up: Two more Tornados, including this one, were despatched from RAF Marham in Norfolk today

Take-off: A Tornado jet flies over the Norfolk countryside on its way to RAF Akrotiri

Reinforcement: The Tornados which flew from Marham today will join those that carried out the overnight raids

HOW ISIS MAKES MILLIONS FROM THE OMAR OIL FIELD IN SYRIA ISIS's control over 10 oil fields in its territory has been described by experts as the 'black gold' that allows the group to run a quasi-state as well as a global terror network. The jihadists took over the Omar oil field, the biggest and best-quality in Syria, in July last year, wresting control of it from rival Islamists Al-Nusra. At full capacity, the field is able to produce 75,000 barrels of oil a day - which would potentially produce revenues of more than £800million a year at current market prices. However, because of ISIS's relative lack of technical expertise and necessary equipment, the oil fields are much less productive than they used to be under Assad. Before today's RAF air strikes, the Omar field had previously been targeted by the US air force, which estimated that ISIS was making up to £40million from selling the oil there - 10 per cent of its total oil revenues/ The terrorists sell the oil at the sites where it is pumped, handing it to traders who queue for hours to buy the fuel then take it to refineries or sell it on to smugglers. Advertisement

The Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the strike would target 'the mainstay of Daesh's financial income', adding that RAF pilots ensured there were no civilians present when they launched their attacks.

'Following the vote in the House of Commons last night, Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 aircraft flew their first offensive operation against Daesh terrorist targets inside Syria,' the MoD said.

'The mainstay of Daesh's financial income is derived from exploitation of a number of oilfields that they hold. These are overwhelmingly located in Daesh's heartlands in eastern Syria.

'Several of these oilfields have already been effectively targeted by other coalition partners - RAF aircraft and precision weaponry are well suited to attacking, with low collateral risk, this type of target.

'Overnight, RAF Tornado GR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker and a Reaper, and operating in conjunction with other coalition aircraft, employed Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct strikes against six targets within the extensive oilfield at Omar, 35 miles inside Syria's eastern border with Iraq.

'The Omar oilfield is one of the largest and most important to Daesh's financial operations, and represents over 10 per cent of their potential income from oil. Carefully selected elements of the oilfield infrastructure were targeted, ensuring the strikes will have a significant impact on Daesh's ability to extract the oil to fund their terrorism.

'Before our aircrew conducted their attacks, as is normal they used the aircraft's advanced sensors to confirm that no civilians were in the proximity of the targets, who might be placed at risk. Our initial analysis of the operation indicates that the strikes were successful.'

Syrian monitoring groups confirmed that oil fields at Omar, Tanak and Jafra in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour were hit overnight.

ISIS's control of oil fields in north-east Syria has provided them with £320million of revenue which they use to fund their terror activities in the Middle East.

The jihadist group is believed to work together with the Assad government - nominally its bitter enemy in the Syrian civil war - to maximise the profits it makes from its industrial operations.

State employees have allegedly been ordered to work at ISIS-held energy facilities to ensure that the country's infrastructure remains intact, with the terrorist factory bosses imposing a brutal regime.

Vladimir Putin recently accused the Turkish state of also buying oil from ISIS on an 'industrial scale' in the wake of the shooting down of a Russian plane over Turkey.

Two of the four Tornado aircraft deployed from the Cyprus base are pictured taking off in the early hours of Thursday morning

A Tornado jet takes off from RAF Akrotiri, in Cyprus, within hours of MPs voting in favour of military action in Syria

The same jet returned shortly afterwards with all of its bombs missing after they were dropped on an oil field

RAF personnel worked on the jets after they returned from their mission in Syria

Britain stepped up its fight against ISIS fanatics hours after a vote in Parliament which saw MPs vote by 397 votes to 223 in favour of action

THE BRITISH MILITARY HARDWARE WHICH IS NOW BEING USED TO DEFEAT ISIS FASCISTS IN SYRIA There are eight Tornado GR4 fighters previously on standby at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which were today joined by two more from RAF Marham in Norfolk. The two-man aircraft are 55ft long with a maximum speed of 1,490mph and a range of 870 miles, and cost £35,000 for every hour of flight. Six Eurofighter Typhoons flew from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland today to take part in the raids against ISIS or Syria. The Typhoon holds just one person, with a 36ft wingspan, maximum speed of 1,550mph and range of 1,800 miles. Both types of jet can be fitted by Paveway IV laser-guided bombs, which weigh 500lbs and cost £22,000 each. The Tornado also uses Brimstone missiles, which cost £100,000 each and can travel at supersonic speeds, using radar and on-board navigation to find its target. The manned aircraft are being supported by a fleet of ten Reaper drones, based in Kuwait but controlled by RAF personnel at the Waddington base in Lincolnshire. The RAF has contributed a Rivet Joint spy plane to the allied coalition's headquarters in Qatar, working alongside countries such as the US and France. Advertisement

Just half an hour before the Commons vote, Mr Corbyn sat stony-faced as his shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn was cheered for a stirring speech in which he declared: 'We must now confront this evil.'

The speech is thought to have swayed wavering Labour MPs, helping the government to a majority much higher than the predicted 100. The Lib Dems and DUP backed the airstrikes, while the Scottish National Party claimed the government had not made the case for war.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell's today praised Mr Benn's oratory - but warned that the decision to bomb Syria could turn out to be as misguided as the conflict in Iraq.

'It reminded me of Tony Blair's speech taking us into the Iraq War,' he told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. 'I'm always anxious that the greatest orators can lead us to the greatest mistakes.'

The Prime Minister, who was thought to have shelved plans for a vote just a few weeks ago, wrote on Twitter after the vote: 'I believe the House has taken the right decision to keep the UK safe - military action in Syria as one part of a broader strategy.'

During a marathon debate lasting almost 11 hours, MPs lined up to say Britain must answer the pleas of allies including France and the United States.

They said the UK must join the fight against the group responsible for the Tunisian beach massacre, the downing of a Russian plane, the Paris atrocity last month and countless sickening beheadings of hostages, including Britons.

US President Barack Obama welcomed Britain's decison to join the coalition striking ISIS targets.

He said: 'The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is rooted in our shared values and mutual commitment to global peace, prosperity and security.

'Since the beginning of the counter-ISIL campaign the United Kingdom has been one of our most valued partners. ISIL is a global threat that must be defeated by a global response.'

French foreign minister Laurent Fabius added: 'I welcome the vote by the British House of Commons authorising an intensification of the United Kingdom's military efforts in the fight against Daesh by extending them to Syria.

'Through this vote and these actions, the UK is signalling its determination to combat Daesh. A fortnight after the November 13 attacks, this is a concrete demonstration of solidarity with our country.'

Speaking this morning, Labour's Michael Dugher - one of 11 opposition frontbenchers to defy Jeremy Corbyn and vote for air strikes - called for the whole country to rally behind the military in the wake of the vote.

He said: 'Whatever our sincerely held, but different views yesterday, I hope we can all now get behind our brave armed forces.'

However, Conservative MP John Baron, a member of the foreign affairs select committee, warned that the Government does not have an 'exit strategy' to ensure that the conflict does not spiral out of control.

'There was a lack of a comprehensive strategy, including an exit strategy,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'We will be coming back and holding the Government to account.'

A Tornado takes off from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, as aircraft are expected to be mobilised from two UK bases

One of the Tornado aircraft prepares for take-off as warplanes from two UK bases are deployed to double numbers at the Cyprus base

Two RAF pilots can be seen in the cockpit of the Tornado moments before the jet takes off for its mission to Syria

One of the Tornado fighter jets is pictured moment before taking off for the first airstrikes in Syria, hours after the Commons vote

A Tornado aircraft is pictured on the ground at RAF Akrotiri before it departs for ISIS' Syria stronghold, where bombing started overnight

It was Mr Benn's speech from the despatch box which apparently convinced MPs to back airstrikes by a much larger majority than expected.

Addressing the Labour party directly, he said: 'As a party we have always been defined by our internationalism. We never have and never should walk by on the other side of the road.

Disruption: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon today vowed to destroy ISIS's sources of revenue within Syria

'And we are here faced by fascists. Not just their calculated brutality but their belief that they are superior to every single one of us in this Chamber tonight and all of the people that we represent.

'They hold us in contempt. They hold our values in contempt. They hold our belief in tolerance and decency in contempt. They hold our democracy, the means by which we will make our decision tonight, in contempt.

'And what we know about fascists is that they need to be defeated. We must now confront this evil. It is now time for us to do our bit in Syria. And that is why I ask my colleagues to vote for this motion tonight.'

There was loud applause and cheering in the Commons on both the government and opposition benches.

Labour MP Stella Creasy, who had been targeted by anti-war protesters all day, said Mr Benn had convinced her 'that fascism must be defeated'.

Last night, MPs on all sides hailed Mr Benn's speech. Tory veteran Nicholas Soames called it 'one of the very best I have heard in the last 32 years really powerful heard in total silence.'

Labour's Toby Perkins added: 'Hilary Benn just gave one of the great speeches in parliamentary history.'

Mr Cameron has long argued that it made no sense to respect a border between Iraq and Syria which is ignored by ISIS.

But after losing a vote in 2013 to launch airstrikes against the Assad regime for targeting the Syrian people, Downing Street was reluctant to bring forward a vote on bombing ISIS in the same country.

But critics said the government had failed to make the case that a plan was in place to bring the bloody Syrian civil war to an end and cast doubt on claims 70,000 moderate fighters were on the ground ready to take on ISIS.

Around a dozen Conservative MPs, including former leadership contender David Davis and foreign affairs committee member John Baron, spoke against the government motion.

But hundreds of Tories backed the Prime Minister who argued his plan was 'legal, necessary and the right thing to do to keep this country safe'.

MPs were told that seven ISIS plots have been foiled in the last year, with intelligence agencies warning attacks are being orchestrated from Syria.

In one recent incident, Syrian opposition forces needed urgent support against ISIS in Syria and RAF planes were 'just eight minutes away' over the border in Iraq - but unable to help.

Within minutes of a 'yes' vote in Parliament, British jets were seen taking off from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus

Four Tornado jets have been deployed from the base in Cyprus, with two more on their way from RAF Marham, Norfolk

RAF Tornado GR4s carry a range of munitions including Paveway IV guided bombs and precision guided Brimstone missiles

RAF Tornado GR4s, which carry a range of munitions including Paveway IV guided bombs and precision guided Brimstone missiles, based at the Akrotiri base in Cyprus carried out the first sorties against the extremists.

Before the result of the vote was announced, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: 'We are already flying reconnaissance missions over Syria.

'Our planes are carrying weapons over Syria into Iraq, so it would be a relatively simple exercise to extend the permissions to allow them to release those weapons over Syria where they identify legitimate targets.'

But Tony Blair's invasion of Iraq in 2003 hung heavy in the air, with many MPs fearing a repeat of a long and drawn-out conflict with British troops suffering heavy casualties.

Outside the Houses of Parliament hundreds of people protested against military action, including one woman who lay down under a lorry bringing Westminster traffic to a standstill.

Four Tornado aircraft based at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, one pictured in the early hours of Thursday, have carried out the first sorties

Silhouetted against a light at the military base, one Tornado prepares to take off for its mission to bomb the ISIS stronghold in Syria

Two RAF pilots are seen in the cockpit of the Tornado GR4 as it is readied for take off from the British base on Cyprus

One of the four Tornado jets deployed overnight is readied for action. Two aircraft targeted an oil field in eastern Syria

A Paveway laser-guided bomb in a hangar with a Tornado GR4 at RAF Marham ahead of the Syrian raids

In a stormy debate in Parliament:

Mr Cameron faced calls to apologise for calling opponents of airstrikes 'terrorist sympathisers'

The Prime Minister said there were 'no simple answers' to the Syria crisis, but promised comprehensive strategy that also includes, political, diplomatic and humanitarian action

He said he would start calling the terror group 'Daesh' instead of Islamic State, ISIL or ISIS because the fanatics find it 'insulting'

A 'comprehensive review' is being launched to root out and eliminate funding of extremism in the UK

But questions remain about claims that 70,000 moderate fighters would be able to take on ISIS on the ground

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said public opposition to the PM's 'ill thought-out rush to war is growing'

But Labour MPs publicly called on their leader to condemn vile online attacks from his supporters, calling supporters of airstrikes 'a war-mongering piece of crap'

Mr Cameron told MPs that British Muslims are 'appalled' by the behaviour of jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria.

'These women-raping, Muslim-murdering, medieval monsters - they are hijacking the peaceful religion of Islam for their warped ends.

'These people are not Muslims - they are outlaws from Islam, and we must stand with our Muslim friends here and around the world as they reclaim their religion from these terrorists.

Jeremy Corbyn sat stony-faced as Mr Benn made a compelling case for action, declaring: 'We must now confront this evil. It is now our time to do our bit in Syria.'

Prime Minister David Cameron launched an impassioned plea for bombing raids in Iraq to be extended into neighbouring Syria to eradicate the 'women-raping, Muslim-murdering, medieval monsters' hijacking Islam for their 'warped ends'. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the government had failed to make the case for war, but was unable to persuade dozens of his own MPs in opposing airstrikes

WE SHOULD CALL TERROR GROUP 'DAESH', SAYS CAMERON IN U-TURN David Cameron yesterday started calling jihadi fanatics 'Daesh' because the terror group finds it insulting. The extremists are variously known as Islamic State, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Daesh, based on the Arabic acronym for the group. Daesh is the word used by the French government when referring to the group. It began referring to them as such after claiming any reference to Islam could cause offence to other Muslims. Yesterday Mr Cameron said it was now 'time to join our key ally France' and members of the Arab League by using Daesh. He added: 'This evil death cult is neither a true representation of Islam not is it a state.' However, it marks a u-turn from Mr Cameron's previous position of using ISIL. In June he argued it was too late to move to using Daesh. Advertisement

'Far from an attack on Islam, we are engaged in a defence of Islam. Far from the risk of radicalising British Muslims by acting, failing to act would actually be to betray British Muslims and the wider religion of Islam in its very hour of need.'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claimed there were 'holes' in the government case, including doubts about credible troops on the ground and the risk of civilian casualties.

The Labour leader said a decision to bomb terrorists in Syria will 'almost inevitably lead to the deaths of innocents'.

He warned MPs they faced a 'most serious, solemn and morally challenging' decision as they debated expanding UK military involvement in the country.

He added: 'It is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the Prime Minister understands public opposition to his ill thought-out rush to war is growing – and wants to hold the vote before it slips from his hands.

'Whether it's the lack of a strategy worth the name the absence of credible ground troops the missing diplomatic plan for a Syrian settlement the failure to address the impact on the terrorist threat or the refugee crisis and civilian casualties: it's become increasingly clear that the Prime Minister's proposal for military action simply doesn't stack up.'

Mr Corbyn added: 'To oppose another reckless and half-baked intervention isn't pacifism. It's hard-headed common sense.'

He warned of 'mission creep' and that British combat troops on the ground are a 'real possibility' if air strikes are extended to Syria.

But the Labour leader was repeatedly mocked and openly criticised by his own MPs in the Commons as struggled to make the case against bombing ISIS in Syria.

Labour grandees including Dame Margaret Beckett, Alan Johnson and Yvette Cooper were among leading figures to defy their leader and support Mr Cameron's plans to bomb terrorists in their Syria stronghold.

Last ditch: Stop the War protesters today threw themselves onto Parliament Square as they staged a 'die-in' in opposition to bombing Syria

'Don't bomb Syria': Stop the War campaigners yelling 'David Cameron shame on you' and 'no more war' held the protest outside Parliament

'Their children bleed just like ours': One woman held a very emotive sign as she joined the demonstration in Parliament Square tonight

ISIS POSES A DIRECT THREAT TO UK: FULL MOTION BACKED BY MPS This is the text of the motion MPs debated, highlighting how France and the US have asked for Britain's help, rules out ground troops and stresses airstrikes will only be limited to ISIS targets. It states: 'That this House notes that Isil poses a direct threat to the United Kingdom; 'Welcomes United Nations Security Council Resolution 2249 which determines that Isil constitutes an 'unprecedented threat to international peace and security' and calls on states to take 'all necessary measures' to prevent terrorist acts by Isil and to 'eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria'; 'Further notes the clear legal basis to defend the UK and our allies in accordance with the UN Charter; 'Notes that military action against Isil is only one component of a broader strategy to bring peace and stability to Syria; 'Welcomes the renewed impetus behind the Vienna talks on a ceasefire and political settlement; 'Welcomes the Government's continuing commitment to providing humanitarian support to Syrian refugees; 'Underlines the importance of planning for post-conflict stabilisation and reconstruction in Syria; 'Welcomes the Government's continued determination to cut Isil's sources of finance, fighters and weapons; 'Notes the requests from France, the US and regional allies for UK military assistance; acknowledges the importance of seeking to avoid civilian casualties, using the UK's particular capabilities; 'Notes the Government will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations; 'Welcomes the Government's commitment to provide quarterly progress reports to the House; 'And accordingly supports Her Majesty's Government in taking military action, specifically airstrikes, exclusively against Isil in Syria; and offers its wholehearted support to Her Majesty's Armed Forces.' Advertisement

Mr Johnson hit out at the 'self-righteous certitude of the finger jabbing representatives' of Mr Corbyn's so-called 'kinder' type of politics, as Labour MPs were branded 'warmongerers with blood on their hands'.

And in a devastating assault on his own leader, former frontbencher John Woodcock suggested his leader was a 'cheerleader' for an 'angry, intolerant pacifism and warned he must do 'better than this to be a credible official opposition'.

Dame Margaret's speech was so powerful that pro-airstrikes Labour MPs circulated it among 'wavering' colleagues in a bid to persuade them to back the government.

The former Foreign Secretary and one-time acting Labour leader dismissed Mr Corbyn's opposition and said: 'Our French allies have explicitly asked us for such support and I invite the House to consider how we would feel and what we would say if what took place in Paris had happened in London, if we had explicitly asked France for support, and France had refused.

She added: 'Some say simply innocent people are more likely to be killed. Military action does create casualties, however much we try to minimise them.

'So should we on those grounds abandon action in Iraq, even though undertaken at the request of Iraq's government and it does seem to be making a difference? Should we take no further action against Daesh, who are themselves killing innocent people and striving to kill more every day of the week?

'Or should we simply leave it to others?'

But this was not enough to placate his critics, with Labour MPs John Woodcock and Caroline Flint, the SNP's Alex Salmond and Lib Dem Tom Brake demanding he apologise.

Mr Cameron refused, only repeating his line that he 'respects people who disagree'.

Opening the marathon debate, Mr Cameron told MPs that British Muslims are 'appalled' by the behaviour of jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria.

'These women-raping, Muslim-murdering, medieval monsters - they are hijacking the peaceful religion of Islam for their warped ends.

'These people are not Muslims - they are outlaws from Islam, and we must stand with our Muslim friends here and around the world as they reclaim their religion from these terrorists.

'Far from an attack on Islam, we are engaged in a defence of Islam. Far from the risk of radicalising British Muslims by acting, failing to act would actually be to betray British Muslims and the wider religion of Islam in its very hour of need.'

As Mr Cameron started setting out the case for military action, he was challenged over remarks on Tuesday night branding opponents of action 'terrorist sympathisers'.

The Prime Minister delivered the barb at a private meeting of Tory MPs on the eve of a crunch Commons vote on escalating the UK military campaign against the jihadists.

Labour MPs accused Mr Cameron of 'demeaning' the office of Prime Minister with the remarks.

Mr Cameron said: 'I respect that governments of all colours have had to fight terrorism and I respect people who disagree and respect opinions on all sides. I hope that provides some reassurance to people on all sides.'

The PM sought to focus the debate on the aims of military action. Mr Cameron said: 'We should answer the call from our allies, the action we propose is legal, necessary and the right thing to do to keep this country safe.

'We should not put our own national security in the hands of others.

'Isil have brutally murdered British hostages. They have inspired the worst terrorist attack against British people since 7/7 on the beaches of Tunisia.

'And they have plotted atrocity after atrocity on the streets here at home.

'Since November last year, our security services have foiled no fewer than seven different plots against our people. So this threat is very real.

'The question is this: do we work with our allies to degrade and destroy this threat and do we go after these terrorists in their heartlands, from where they are plotting to kill British people.

'Or do we sit back and wait for them to attack us.'

Labour MPs including (left to right) former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, former Home Secretary Alan Johnson and former leadership contender Yvette Cooper all defied their leader and vowed to back airstrikes

CORBYN ALLY FACES PROBE AFTER TELLING LABOUR MP: 'F**K YOU' A senior Labour MP is being investigated by the party after allegedly telling a party rival 'f**k you' because he is planned to back bombing ISIS in Syria. Clive Lewis has been reported to the party's chief whip after he swore at fellow Labour MP John Woodcock during a row. The pair are believed to have clashed in a Westminster corridor with Lewis, Mr Corbyn's energy spokesman saying: 'You want to start this, we'll finish it, so f**k you'. Mr Woodcock, who told the Commons his party was becoming 'the vanguard for a sort of angry, intolerant pacifism' tweeted afterwards he would not be 'intimidated' by colleagues. It is understood that the MPs clashed after Mr Lewis appeared on the BBC and said pro-war MPs would be blamed if ISIS terrorists carried out reprisal attacks in Britain. Now facing an internal investigation Mr Lewis said today: 'I did indeed swear at him which in hindsight I regret. I'm more than happy to apologise to John, I'd like to think he'd be able to do the same back'. Advertisement

Mr Cameron promised to take dozens of interventions as he made his case for war ahead of the crunch vote.

He told MPs: 'I am not pretending the answers are simple.

'The situation in Syria is incredibly complex - I am not overstating the contribution that our incredible servicemen and women can make.

'Nor am I ignoring the risks of military action, nor am I pretending military action is any more than one part of the answer - I am absolutely clear we must pursue a comprehensive strategy that also includes, political, diplomatic and humanitarian action.

'I know the long-term solution in Syria, as in Iraq, must ultimately be a government that represents all of its people. One that can work with us to defeat the evil organisation of Isil for good.

'But not withstanding all of this, there is a simple question at the heart of the debate today.'

Later the PM said the UK 'cannot wait' for a political settlement in Syria before targeting ISIS.

He said: 'The threat is now. Isil Daesh are planning the attacks now.'

Mr Corbyn was humiliated by his own shadow cabinet on Monday, when frontbenchers lined up to insist they would vote in favour of bombing ISIS in its Syrian stronghold.

Aides to the beleaguered Labour leader, a former chairman of Stop The War, had pushed for Labour MPs to be whipped - or ordered - to oppose military action.

But he was outnumbered, with shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn and deputy leader Tom Watson among those pushing for bombing to begin.

As a result, Mr Corbyn is made the case against airstrikes in the Commons but later Mr Benn argued in favour from the Despatch Box.

The Paris terror attacks last month, which left 130 people dead, hardened public opinion and saw senior Labour figures defy Mr Corbyn - a long-standing opponent of war.

However, a new poll today showed support for bombing ISIS in Syria has dropped sharply in just two weeks, with less than half of voters now in favour of airstrikes.

66 Labour MPs took advantage of the free vote handed to them by party leader Jeremy Corbyn and voted in favour of extending airstrikes

PM UNDER PRESSURE OVER CLAIM OF 70,000 MODERATE FIGHTERS Forces: The Prime Minister said the majority of the 70,000 were members of the Free Syrian Army and that there were a further 20,000 Kurdish fighters with whom Britain could also work with David Cameron was embarrassed in the Commons yesterday after MPs repeatedly doubted his key claim there are 70,000 'moderate' forces on the ground in Syria ready to help defeat ISIS. The Prime Minister has fought to defend the figures as he tries to convince politicians to back plans to extend air strikes tonight. He told the Commons the 70,000 was the estimate of the Joint Intelligence Committee - the UK's senior intelligence body. He said the majority were members of the Free Syrian Army and that there were a further 20,000 Kurdish fighters with whom Britain could also work. 'I am not arguing that all of these 70,000 are somehow ideal partners. Some though left the Syrian Army because of Assad's brutality and they clearly can play a role in the future of Syria,' he said. But Jeremy Corbyn disputed Mr Cameron's claim about ground troops, saying it was 'quite clear there are no such forces' and only extremists would take advantage of the strikes against IS. Mr Benn sat alongside Mr Corbyn as the party leader set out the case for opposing military action. But critics of the policy - including the 54-strong Scottish National Party - have been emboldened by criticism of Mr Cameron's case from the influential Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and controversy over his claims of 70,000 moderate Syrian forces on the ground. Advertisement

A YouGov poll for The Times carried out days after the November 13 atrocity in the French capital showed 59 per cent of the public approved of the RAF taking part in airstrikes against ISIS in Syria.

But a new survey reveals that only 48 per cent are now in favour, while the proportion against has increased by 11 points to 31 per cent.

Men are more likely to be in favour - 58 per cent to 26 per cent against - while women are more evenly split on 39 to 36 per cent.

The proportion who believe that airstrikes are 'not effective' in the battle to defeat ISIS has also risen from 37 a week ago to 42 per cent now.

It shows that 42 per cent of Labour voters are against bombing, up 16 points in just a week.

Former soldier Dan Jarvis, who served in Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone and completed multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, admitted there was 'never a perfect solution' but said it was misguided to think ISIS would leave Britain alone if they were not attacked.

Mr Jarvis said: 'The Labour Party has a proud and long tradition of standing up for the national interest when our country is under threat.

'When the War Cabinet met in 1940, it was the Labour ministers Clement Attlee and Arthur Greenwood that tipped the balance in favour of resisting Nazism.

'Daesh are the fascists of our time and I believe there is still a dignity in uniting with our allies in common cause against a common enemy in defence of our common humanity and that is what I hope we will do.'

Former defence secretary Liam Fox said: 'This is not about provoking a new confrontation with Daesh. They have already confronted peace and decency and humanity.

'We have seen what they are capable of in terms of beheadings, crucifixions, mass rape. We have seen the refugee crisis they have provoked in the Middle East with its terrible human cost.

'And we seen their willingness to export jihad when they are able to do so.'

Mr Fox said Britain was seeking to expand an existing military campaign over a 'non-existent' border in the sand.

He told the Commons: 'Our allies simply believe it is absurd for Britain to be part of a military campaign against Daesh but not in Syria. It is a patently absurd military position for us to hold and we have a chance to correct it today.'

Father of the House Labour's Sir Gerald Kaufman said: 'The issue today is about what practical action can result in some way in damaging Daesh, in stopping their atrocities.

'If what the Government were proposing today would in any way, not even get rid of Daesh but weaken them in a significant way... I wouldn't have any difficulty in voting for this motion.

'But there is absolutely no evidence of any kind that bombing Daesh, bombing Raqqa, will result in an upsurge of other people in the region to get rid of them.

'What it would do, it might cause some damage - it won't undermine them.

What it will undoubtedly do, despite the assurances of the Prime Minister, is it will kill innocent civilians.

'I am not going to be a party to killing innocent civilians for what will simply be a gesture.'

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said MPs risk learning the wrong lessons from the Iraq invasion if they vote against extending British air strikes to Syria.

He insisted so-called ISIS is a 'consequence of that foolish decision' in 2003 and lessons must be learnt from it.

But he added the UK must choose to stand alongside its allies and the refugees fleeing the 'death cult' by taking military action to damage and defeat IS.

Mr Farron cautioned he will not give 'unconditional support' to the Government as several questions remain, including on issues such as the need to protect civilians and safe zones.

He said his instincts are 'anti-war and anti-conflict' but he believes Prime Minister David Cameron had 'broadly met' his criteria for action.

Warplanes switch to Syria: Two Tornados and six Typhoons carrying precision guided Brimstone missiles and Paveway bombs are on their way to battle ISIS

By Larisa Brown for the Daily Mail

British fighter jets were last night ordered to deploy to war in Syria as parliament backed air strikes.

Following the yes vote, two Tornado warplanes and six Typhoon attack jets were set to take to the skies from British bases and begin their five hour journey to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

After they have refuelled, they would then head to territory occupied by the militants and double Britain's war efforts in the fight against Islamic State.

And Tornado aircraft already operating over Iraq are poised to be diverted from Iraqi airspace to cross the border to target barbaric jihadists in their heartland.

They are expected to join armed Reaper drones, which are already flying over Syria spying on enemy positions, but which will now be able to blitz targets with Hellfire missiles.

The two extra Tornados, equipped with precision guided Brimstone missiles which can target jihadists travelling at 70mph, are flying in from RAF Marham in Norfolk.

The six Typhoons, carrying 500lb Paveway bombs, are expected to travel from RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, at around the same time.

They will double the number of aircraft already stationed there, enabling RAF pilots to conduct twice as many missions against IS militants.

An extra 150 military personnel were also due to be deployed this morning to step up Britain's war effort in the region.

Speaking from RAF Marham, Group Captain Richard Davies, the station commander, said: 'Although this look like the start of a new campaign it is absolutely not for the guys who are out there.'

He suggested Tornado aircraft already deployed in the skies on eight hour missions were likely to be deployed instantly.

'If all those ducks are aligned and the aircraft are airborne at that moment and a target comes up they will go.

'If we are airborne in Iraq and the vote is yes we could be targeting on that mission.

'They may well be operating in Iraq and suddenly a target will emerge in Syria and now we are cleared to go in they will just go in', he said.

One of the British aircraft is pictured last night ahead of its mission to wipe out jihadists in their Syrian heartland

RAF personnel prepare one of the Tornado jets for take off in the early hours of this morning at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus

He said: 'This (operation) is not something that is going to stop overnight. This is something that is going to endure.'

He said the Russian involvement clearly added more of a 'dynamic airspace' than in Iraq, but that it was more congested flying around the UK.

All RAF missions as part of the coalition force are coordinated by the Combined Air Operations Centre at Al Udeid in Qatar.

The US-led headquarters has a large percentage of British staff officers embedded within it, with an RAF Air Commodore as the senior UK officer.

Seconds after a yes vote in Parliament, RAF officers were understood to be working with other military personnel to identify targets for UK pilots to hit in Syria.

Among those due to fly to RAF Akrotiri yesterday were a Tornado pilot and a Tornado weapon systems operator, both in their 30s, and who took part in the first RAF mission over Mount Sinjar last year.

They said they had been ready to deploy at five minutes' notice.

The pilot, who has flown over 2,000 hours in a Tornado, said: 'Every day our mission ultimately is to train for these eventualities'.

He said being able to fly over Syria 'could make life easier', adding that he remembered one mission where they were tracking some vehicles but had to stop as they crossed over the border.

Asked if the RAF would be making a difference by bombing in Syria, he said: 'Yes absolutely, definitely. It is clear that Isis operate on both sides of the border.

'If we can go into Syria as well then I have no doubt that there will be targets for us to go against. It gives flexibility for ourselves and for the people directing us as well.'

A Tornado is prepared for take off ahead of the mission into Syria. The MoD has confirmed that the first four jets have now returned

The operator, who has been on the Tornado frontline since 2007, said:'There is very little difference for us in terms of a mindset change, going against the same people doing the same things across that line in the sand.'

But he said he had never expected to return to the region after British troops pulled out following the end of the Iraq War.

He said: 'One of my enduring memories was leaving Iraq for the last time when we did Operation Telic thinking: I know I am not coming back.

'And there we were back over Iraqi airspace, with a different target set doing largely the same job against a different target set. It struck me that we were back again.'

In the coming days, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon may chair a Ministry of Defence 'targeting board', which approves 'pre-planned' targets in Syria.

They are targets that have been identified by surveillance operations, and will include terrorist headquarters, training camps, supply depots and networks of fortified positions.

Other targets will be 'dynamic' targets, which mean they will be identified by RAF pilots, both operating in the sky above Syria and at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.

Intelligence analysts at RAF Waddington, Britain's drone base, will analyse real-time images picked up by the Reaper and identify key targets to hit in Syria.

The Reaper may have been watching the target for weeks - if not months- waiting for the opportunity to strike.

Normally the Reaper and British spy planes flying reconnaissance missions over Syria would then pass any intelligence to other coalition aircraft.

The Tornado's Brimstone missiles will provide a unique capability to the air campaign in Syria. Only Britain and Saudi Arabia have the British-made weaponry.

They will be used to cut off the 'snake's head' in Syria as they are able to hit fast moving targets, unlike the Hellfire missile fired from the Reaper.

Group Captain Davies said he had 'no doubt' that the arrival of Tornado and Brimstone into the 'Syrian theatre... will be well received by the commanders'.

Asked how his crew will 'decapitate the snake's head' he said: 'I think the speed and reach and that capability that Brimstone brings will give that flexibility to the commander for that fleeting target, which may be that high value target that just appears at short notice and is only available to be targeted at a short period of time because of the collateral issues.'

'It is that speed of being able to get to that target very, very quickly which right now just isn't available on a fast jet in Syria and clearly we are proving that case in Iraq right now.'

As recently as Sunday a 100,000British pound Brimstone missile fired from a Tornado in Iraq was used to 'eliminate' two jihadists on a motorbike as they tried to lay a roadside bomb.

The Tornado also has a Raptor pod which can create images of hundreds of separate targets in one flying mission alone - and can operate during the day and night.

WATCH: The moment an RAF drone destroys an ISIS safehouse

This is the moment an ISIS safehouse was destroyed by the RAF as it was revealed Britain has launched 13 missile strikes in Iraq in the past six days.

Footage of a Reaper drone targeting the terrorist hide-out in Iraq was released by the Ministry of Defence as MPs were about to vote on whether to extend air strikes to Syria.

The footage from Thursday, November 26, shows the bombing of a house in Ramadi after the drone controlled from Britain helped with surveillance on a coalition strike on an ISIS sniper squad.

It was one of 13 strikes in the past six days and more than thirty since the terror attacks in Paris last month.

After the drone strike in Ramadi last Thursday a British Tornado took out an enemy heavy machine gun firing on Kurdish forces near Kisik with a Paveway bomb.

Last Friday a Reaper drone was again active over Ramadi where it destroyed a fuel tanker adapted to be a large booby-trap in an area where civilians had fled to.

A precision attack with a Hellfire missile safely destroyed the tanker and a second Reaper supported the Kurds south of Sinjar, and conducted two successful attacks with its Hellfire missiles, destroying two terrorist vehicles, one of which was a car-bomb.

On Sunday a Tornado patrol over western Iraq conducted four strikes around Ramadi and Haditha: using missles to destroy a large car-bomb, and destroy two ISIS-held buildings.

The fourth strike was with a Brimstone missile, which eliminated a pair of terrorists, mounted on a motorcycle, who were attempting to plant an improvised explosive device.

Target: The RAF today released footage of a missile strike on this ISIS safehouse in Iraq on the same day as the Commons Syria vote

Destructive: The British reaper fired a missile into the building believed to be used by terrorists in hiding

Aftermath: The footage taken from the aircraft shows the smoking remains of the house in Iraq blown up last week

On the same day a Reaper fired a Hellfire missile to attack an ISIS vehicle check-point, used by the terrorists to extort tolls from passing traffic.

On Monday Tornado jets were sent to support the Kurdish peshmerga south of Sinjar where the warplanes used their missiles to blow up three heavy machine-gun positions.

It came as the Prime Minister set out the case for joining airstrikes against ISIS in Syria ahead of the Commons vote.

Britain has stepped up its attacks on ISIS since the Paris massacres and is averaging above the one strike per day carried out in Iraq earlier in the conflict.

How did your MP vote? Full division list from result in parliament