UK Shadow Cabinet Might Back Anti-ISIL Airstrikes Against Corbyn Will

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Members of the UK Labour Shadow Cabinet look likely to vote in support of a government motion to extend the country's airstrikes against the Islamic State (ISIL) militant group, local media reported Tuesday.

Should the majority of Labour shadow ministers back the move, it could force the newly-elected party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to also back anti-ISIL airstrikes to avoid a scenario where he is voting against his own Cabinet.

Currently, only Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell oppose the UK state bombing ISIL positions in Iraq and Syria, according to an article in The Daily Mail.

In October, UK Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to put a motion to expand the country's military action against ISIL militants in Syria to a vote in parliament.

During his political career, Corbyn has consistently challenged UK government policies by voting against the United Kingdom’s involvement in the Iraq war, and making it a cornerstone of his campaign to speak out against the renewal of the British Trident nuclear deterrent infrastructure and the country's role in an US-led international coalition.

The US-led coalition, comprising over 60 nations, has been conducting airstrikes against ISIL positions in Iraq and Syria since 2014.