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WAR REPORT
Cameron ups pressure on MPs for Syria strikes vote
By Katherine HADDON
London (AFP) Nov 23, 2015


US warplanes destroy 283 fuel trucks in Syria
Washington (AFP) Nov 23, 2015 - US warplanes have destroyed 283 fuel tankers that were being used to transport oil to help fund the Islamic State group in eastern Syria, officials said Monday.

The huge air raid is another milestone as the US-led coalition intensifies its campaign against the jihadists and focuses on their oil-smuggling infrastructure, estimated to net the group some $500 million a year.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the strike occurred Saturday between Al Hasakah and Dayr Az Zawr in the east. It came less than a week after another, similar strike destroyed 116 IS fuel trucks.

Just as in that earlier case, US jets on Saturday first conducted a low-flying "show of force" over the trucks, then dropped leaflets telling drivers to flee.

The Pentagon says that while the trucks were being used to support the IS group, the drivers themselves were not thought to be jihadists.

US A-10 air-to-ground attack planes and AC-130 gunships then destroyed the tankers, Davis said, adding there had been no reports of civilian casualties.

"We have very methodically gone through this to ensure that we are doing this in a way that is humane and not going to cause civilian casualties," Davis said, while "also recognizing the fact that these trucks are an integral link in the revenue stream that is providing revenue ... to ISIL."

Russia, which is conducting a separate air campaign in Syria, claims to have destroyed dozens of fuel trucks and has declared a "free hunt" for any trucks carrying oil "belonging to terrorists" in IS-controlled areas.

A US military spokesman said that in the earlier US strike that destroyed 116 trucks, the leaflets dropped stated: "Get out of your trucks now, and run away from them."

David Cameron vowed Monday to make his case for Britain joining air strikes on Syria this week as he unveiled a new defence strategy stressing counter-terrorism and intelligence.

Cameron said he would make a statement in the House of Commons on Thursday as he steps up pressure for MPs to vote in favour of joining international action against Islamic State jihadists following the November 13 attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.

His comments came as he presented the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), which maps Britain's military strategy for the next five years.

"As the murders on the streets of Paris reminded us so starkly, ISIL (another term for IS) is not some remote problem thousands of miles away -- it is a direct threat to our security at home and abroad," Cameron said.

"History teaches us that no government can predict the future... but we can make sure that we have the versatility and the means to respond to new risks and threats to our security as they arise."

Cameron earlier on Monday visited Paris, where he met President Francois Hollande and paid tribute outside the Bataclan concert venue, where 90 people were killed.

"I firmly support the action President Hollande has taken to strike ISIL in Syria," Cameron said after talks in Paris.

"It's my firm conviction that Britain should do so too," he added.

In his speech to parliament, Cameron also announced details of "a significant new contingency plan" in case of attacks in Britain, which would include the rapid deployment of 10,000 military personnel to support the police.

While British forces are taking part in air strikes on IS targets in Iraq, they are not involved in the international effort targeting Syria due to resistance from opposition parties still mindful of unpopular interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Labour's anti-war leader Jeremy Corbyn is against any military action but Cameron appears increasingly confident that he can get enough support from Labour MPs to pass the vote, particularly after last week's UN Security Council resolution authorising countries to "take all necessary measures" against IS.

A Times/YouGov opinion poll last week found that 58 percent of people would approve of Britain joining air strikes on targets in Syria compared to 22 percent against.

Labour's shadow defence minister Maria Eagle also on Monday told BBC radio that "there will be some support from the Labour party for him (Cameron) to do what he wishes" if they approve of his plan.

Reports suggest the government could call a vote on the issue as early as the end of next week if ministers are confident of winning it.

Cameron on Monday only said that the vote could come "in the coming days and weeks" after a full parliamentary debate.

Cameron's spokesman said he would seek a vote in the Commons when he "feels he has the consensus".

- Higher counter-terror spending -

The SDSR announced Monday has been planned for months but its emphasis on intelligence, counter-terrorism, cyber defence and surveillance spoke volumes about the threat posed by IS jihadists to European nations like Britain.

The SDSR's �12 billion ($18.2 billion, 17.1 billion euros) of extra investment also included the creation of two new 5,000-member rapid reaction strike brigades which could be deployed to conflicts overseas by 2025.

An extra 1,900 security and intelligence staff are being recruited.

The government is also expected to announce that counter-terrorism funding is being increased by 30 percent in a budget announcement on Wednesday delivered by finance minister George Osborne.

The defence budget increases were accompanied by major cuts.

Some 30 percent of the defence ministry's civilian jobs are being cut and 30 percent of its land is to be sold.

And Osborne faces a row over claims from police chiefs that cuts to the number of frontline officers who do not fall under the counter-terrorism budget could increase the risk of an attack in Britain.


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