A Freedom of Information request submitted by human rights group Reprieve to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) found that UK personnel are embedded with US and other forces "operating in Syrian airspace", "include pilots flying… strike missions."
The three UK pilots that launched strikes over Syria where from the Royal Navy and flew off USS Carl Vinson
— Deborah Haynes (@haynesdeborah) July 17, 2015
Previously, UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon had indicated that the House of Commons would have the final say before Britain expanded its program of air strikes to Syria. Jennifer Gibson, staff attorney at Reprieve said:
"UK personnel have already been involved in bombing missions over Syria for some time — making the current debate over whether Britain should carry out such strikes somewhat obsolete. It is alarming that Parliament and the public have been kept in the dark about this for so long."
The Prime Minister's spokeswoman told a briefing for journalists:
"The PM was aware that UK personnel were involved in US operations and what they were doing."
Democracy in action! UK pilots bombed #Syria despite UK voting against bombing Syria — just not in British planes! pic.twitter.com/8ITvnrCdvP
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) July 17, 2015
This is in spite of a parliamentary vote, taken in 2013, against any bombing raids in Syria, following warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Cameron Climbdown in 2013
In 2013, Cameron — then heading a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats — recalled parliament amid uproar over plans to begin bombing raids, with the US, against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government to deter the use of chemical weapons.
At the time, two years after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, there were nationwide protests against al-Assad's government, which led to violent crackdowns on the heartlands of the Free Syrian Army.
In the UK, in 2013, there was general scepticism over joining the US in a bombing mission against al-Assad because of widespread unease over the decision to go to war with Iraq still fresh in peoples' minds. Public opinion was generally against another chasing of US coat-tails into war.
Cameron should be prosecuted for allowing UK military to bomb Syria on the basis of tory arrogance&pissing all over democracy.
— jim macred (@smokejack) July 17, 2015
Bombing Would Destabilize the Middle East — Putin
On September 11, 2013, Putin wrote an opinion piece in the New York Times in which he said: "The potential strike by the United States against Syria, despite strong opposition from many countries and major political and religious leaders, including the pope, will result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria's borders."
Unless Syria Govt. approved airstrikes, the UK’s action is illegal under International Law… https://t.co/yaSytsNHPi pic.twitter.com/AOVgAOvhXq
— Michael Lee (@MichaelLee2009) July 17, 2015
"A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance."
Cameron was forced to recall parliament from recess and he sought parliamentary backing for UK forces to join a US-led coalition for air strike against al-Assad.
@antbruceking Sept 2014 vote explicitly about ISIL — here's Cameron conceding any Syria strikes wld need new vote pic.twitter.com/UJA25liToc
— Chris Woods (@chrisjwoods) July 17, 2015
In a devastating blow to his authority, Cameron lost the vote by 272 votes to 285 after dozens of his own MPs voted with the Labour opposition.
Shouldn't Cameron be, like, resigning or something? http://t.co/VwXYAjeBm7
— Primitive Knot (@PrimitiveKnot) July 17, 2015
@David_Cameron lied 2009 EUref, #indyref Vow, #taxcredits and now bombed Syria without Parliament knowledge, anyone see the pattern here?
— Derek May (@DerekMay16) July 17, 2015
Friday's admission by Cameron's office will put pressure on him to explain how UK forces came to be taking part in bombing raids against the wishes of parliament and a promise from the defence Secretary that parliament would have the final say over any such action.
