British MPs vote in favour of air strikes in Syria

British parliamentarians have voted in favour of launching air strikes against the Islamic State in Syria, following a debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said MPs has "taken the right decision to keep the country safe" after the decision to launch strikes was passed by 397 votes to 223.

A BBC cameraman tweeted images of RAF Torandao fighter jets leaving the British base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, just hours after the vote had taken place.

US President Barack Obama welcomed the move, stating the “special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is rooted in our shared values and mutual commitment to global peace, prosperity and security”.

Senior figures from the opposition Labour party voted in favour of military action, though leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised the move, stating the case for war “does not stack up”.

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