Britain Playing Key Role in Airstrikes Against Islamic State: British PM

MOSCOW, December 16 (Sputnik), Ekaterina Blinova - Britain has launched the second largest number of bombing missions against the Islamic State, said David Cameron, as cited by the BBC news editor.

Commenting on the latest tragedies in Sydney, Australia and the Peshawar school in Pakistan, caused by brazen radical Islamist attacks, the British Prime Minister claimed that the West is now involved in the "struggle of our generation." Praising the bravery of Australians, David Cameron bemoaned the victims of terrorist assaults, adding that "there is no belief system in the world that can justify" the terror actions.

The British Prime Minister has repeatedly declared the UK's commitment to the fight against terrorism and its participation in the US-led coalition war on the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Still, the United States is bearing the main burden of the anti-ISIL military campaign, conducting approximately 85 percent of all multi-national air strikes against the Islamist insurgents.

However, BBC News Assistant Political Editor Norman Smith has cited the UK's PM as saying that "Britain has launched second largest number of bombing missions (after US) against IS."

Britain has launched second largest number of bombing missions (after US) against IS - PM

— norman smith (@BBCNormanS) 16 декабря 2014

"Our role now, apart from air strikes, is increasingly going to be on training. In particular it will mean dealing with car and truck bombs and roadside devices, as well as basic infantry skills," emphasized Defense Secretary Michael Fellon, as quoted by the media outlet.

Meanwhile the Pentagon claimed in November that it was planning to send about 1,500 US troops in Iraq but then doubled the number.