Along with most British people, we opposed an attack on Iraq in 2003. The brutal reality of the invasion and occupation confirmed our worst fears. At least half a million died and the country was devastated. Now, less than three years after US troops were pulled out, the US is bombing again. The British government is considering joining military action, not just in Iraq but in Syria too. All the experience of the varied military action taken by the west in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya shows that such interventions kill innocents, destroy infrastructure and fragment societies, and in the process spread bitterness and violence. While we all reject the politics and methods of Isis, we have to recognise that it is in part a product of the last disastrous intervention, which helped foster sectarianism and regional division. It has also been funded and aided by some of the west’s allies, especially Saudi Arabia. More bombing, let alone boots on the ground, will only exacerbate the situation. We urge the government to rule out any further military action in Iraq or Syria.

Caryl Churchill playwright

Brian Eno musician

Tariq Ali writer and broadcaster

Jeremy Corbyn MP

Lindsey German convenor of the Stop the War Coalition

Diane Abbott MP

Mark Rylance actor

Ken Loach film director

Michael Rosen author and broadcaster

Kate Hudson general secretary of CND

John McDonnell MP

Sami Ramadani Iraqi writer and campaigner

Len McCluskey general secretary of Unite

Amir Amarani film director

Mohammed Kozbar vice-president of the Muslim Association of Britain

Dr Anas Altikriti

Walter Wolfgang Labour CND

Andrew Murray chief of staff Unite