UK must do more in fighting ISIL – MPs
British lawmakers have called on the government of Prime Minister David Cameron to increase the role of the country in fighting ISIL terrorists in Iraq.
A report published on Thursday by the Parliament's Defense Select Committee said the role that Britain is playing in fighting ISIL is "strikingly modest" with on average less than one air strike a day, adding that it was "surprised and deeply concerned" Britain was not doing more.
The MPs have in the report also criticized British officials for failing to set out a clear definition of Britain's role in Iraq.
"There is a significant gap between the rhetoric of Britain and its partners, and the reality of the campaign on the ground... It will be very difficult to destroy Daesh," the report said, using an Arabic acronym for ISIL.
There has been no mentioning of the need to deploy combat troops to Iraq. However, the report has urged the British government to help Iraq fight ISIL by contributing troop training as well as political support and intelligence.
The Iraqi security forces are weak and lack resources, the committee said, while the country's communities are divided and regional powers remain deeply suspicious of each other.
"Given the deep polarisation and structural weaknesses of the Iraqi state, we wonder whether containment and suppression of Daesh would not be a more realistic goal than total elimination," it said.
The MPs have also argued that London should be prepared to provide an increased level of air support to Iraqi forces.
Britain has so far taken part in US-led air strikes against ISIL in Iraq, but not Syria. It has also provided some equipment and training for Kurdish forces.
The government defended Britain's role. Prime Minister David Cameron's spokeswoman told Reuters that Britain was the second biggest contributor to the international military campaign against ISIL.
"This is going to be a long campaign... that is going to take time and patience and determination but what we are showing with our efforts so far is we are absolutely committed to it," she said.
JAS/AA
Whistleblower says UK Foreign Office ‘censored’ warning of Sudan genocide
‘Who Dares Wins’ SAS war crimes covered up
London day of solidarity with Palestine
Diplomacy as cover: Investigation details how US-Iran talks masked preparations for 12-day war
Oil prices rise as Trump’s Venezuela blockade stokes supply uncertainty
Iran develops advanced Cryogenic, space-simulator technologies
VIDEO | Israel increasingly relies on ‘agents’ in Gaza to create ‘chaos’
Iran announces new official exchange rate for US dollar
UK police threaten arrests over ‘intifada’ chants at pro-Palestine protests
US-Israeli spy network neutralized during 12 day war: Iran Armed Forces
Iran condemns US maritime blockade on Venezuela as ‘state piracy’
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
