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Protesters have gathered outside Downing Street in opposition of Britain’s air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq.

Campaigners battled with rainy weather and marched through central London from Temple Place to Parliament, armed with banners readings “stop bombing Iraq” as well as “don’t attack Syria”.

The march, organised by Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the Muslim Association of Great Britain as well as other groups, is calling on the government to halt the “insane” bombing missions.

The march follows the release of a video yesterday evening showing the killing of British aid worker Alan Henning.

Protester Francis O'Neill, 36, from Oxford, said: “I just think it's insane."

"Whether you see someone being beheaded or being hit by a drone strike...It makes no difference," he said.

RAF jets began bombing missions against militant positions in Iraq a week ago and David Cameron announced the deployment of two more Tornado fighter bombers as he visited the Cyprus base from where they are operating.

He faces increased calls to extend British involvement to Syria - where US and allied aircraft are already engaged in an aerial bombardment - but has said he will seek fresh parliamentary approval before doing so.

Urgent action to deal with a hostage or other emergency could be carried out without prior approval of MPs.

The two additional GR4s lift the number to eight engaged in raids to support local ground forces, especially Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

Josh Blakely, 35, from Berkshire, said: "The war is not in my name. It's in MPs' names. If we're going to go to war then the whole country should get to vote," he said.

Mark Thomas, 46, from London, and a member of the Socialist Workers Party, questioned what military action would achieve.

"I'm no fan of ISIS but Britain and America have been at war in Iraq for nearly 25 years.

"How on earth do people think more bombing will create peace and stability?" he said.

He also expressed fears that Britain's involvement would increase to having troops on the ground.

"If the bombing doesn't stop ISIS in two months' time what are they (Britain) going to do then? It can escalate easily," he said, adding: "I think more bombs is the last thing Iraq needs."