PM To Recall Parliament Over Airstrikes In Iraq

Britain could be just days away from military involvement in the Middle East as David Cameron is expected to recall Parliament on Friday.

The Prime Minister is set to ask MPs to support UK airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, with aerial raids possible this weekend.

Mr Cameron has warned the fight against the extremist group was one the UK "could not opt out of".

The PM warned of terrorist plots in Britain and the US

It comes as the US confirmed it had launched five more airstrikes targeting IS, including one in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border where eight militant vehicles were struck.

US Central Command also reported hitting two IS armed vehicles west of Baghdad, as well as two militant fighting positions in northern Iraq.

Speaking ahead of a United Nations summit in New York, Mr Cameron insisted IS was planning attacks on Britain and an international coalition was needed to destroy "this evil organisation".

Iraq's PM Haider al Abadi is likely to ask for Britain's help to defeat IS

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi is expected to formally ask for Britain's involvement in airstrikes against IS positions in the north of the country when he meets Mr Cameron.

Such a request would legally underpin any UK military action in Iraq, something that is less clear in the case of Syria where Britain has stressed it will not co-operate with President Bashar al Assad to defeat IS.

With Parliament expected to be recalled, Mr Cameron will be hoping to avoid the defeat he suffered last year over plans to target the Assad regime.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani will also hold talks with Mr Cameron

Labour leader Ed Miliband has told Sky News that Britain could not turn away from tackling IS and said he would consider a proposition from the Prime Minister.

He said any military action would be considered on the basis of whether it was legitimate, would succeed and be effective but added: "There is no question of British troops on the ground."

Several Syrian cities and IS strongholds were targetted in the strikes

Iraq has not yet formally asked Britain to join the US and France in airstrikes on IS, which has made rapid territorial gains in northern Iraq, but the UK responded swiftly to Baghdad's plea for arms and ammunition earlier this month.

Speaking to US TV channel NBC, Mr Cameron said: "There are other plots they (IS) have been attempting, including in my own country, in order to kill and maim innocent people and the same applies to the United States.

"So this is a fight you cannot opt out of. These people want to kill us. They've got us in their sights and we have to put together this coalition … to make sure that we ultimately destroy this evil organisation."

Mr Cameron will also attempt to secure regional involvement in the fight against IS during talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. It will be the first time a British prime minister has met an Iranian president since 1979.

UK hostage Alan Henning is being held by the group. Pic: Cage

But Mr Cameron has made clear he will not soften his stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions, nor its support for other militant groups the West regards as terrorist organisations.

"I will be very clear," Mr Cameron told NBC News. "We think they are wrong to have this nuclear weapon programme. We think they are wrong to support terrorist organisations.

"It'll be a tough conversation. I'm not saying that my enemy's enemy is my friend. I don't believe that.

"But the fact is if we want to have a successful, democratic, pluralistic Iraq and if we want to have a successful, democratic, pluralistic Syria, Iran can play a constructive role in helping to bring that about."

The first US raids on IS targets in Syria were launched on Tuesday, supported by Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Among the areas hit was the IS stronghold of Raqqa where it is thought British aid worker Alan Henning is being held hostage by the group.

Mr Henning's wife Barbara called for his release after she received an audio message from her husband pleading for his life.

Barbara Henning said she had been told a Sharia court had found her husband innocent of being a spy.

"I implore Islamic State to abide by the decisions of their own justice system. Please release Alan," she said in a statement released through the Foreign Office.

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