Isabel Hardman Isabel Hardman

Government publishes motion on attacking Isis

Today’s Cabinet meeting agreed the following motion on attacking Isis in Iraq. Note the stipulation that attacks on Isis in Syria be subject to a separate vote in the House of Commons

Here is the motion in full:

That this House: Condemns the barbaric acts of ISIL against the peoples of Iraq including the Sunni, Shia, Kurds, Christians and Yazidi and the humanitarian crisis this is causing; Recognizes the clear threat ISIL pose to the territorial integrity of Iraq and the request from the Government of Iraq for military support from the international community and the specific request to the UK Government for such support; Further recognizes the threat ISIL poses to wider international security and the UK directly through its sponsorship of terrorist attacks and its murder of a British hostage; Acknowledges the broad coalition contributing to military support of the Government of Iraq, including countries throughout the Middle East; Further acknowledges the request of the Government of Iraq for international support to defend itself against the threat ISIL poses to Iraq and its citizens, and the clear legal basis that this provides for action in Iraq; Notes that this motion does not endorse UK air strikes in Syria as part of this campaign, and any proposal to do so would be subject to a separate vote in Parliament; Accordingly supports Her Majesty’s Government, working with allies, in supporting the Government of Iraq in protecting civilians and restoring its territorial integrity, including the use of UK air strikes to support Iraqi, including Kurdish, security forces’ efforts against ISIL in Iraq; Notes that Her Majesty’s Government will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations; Offers its wholehearted support to the men and women of Her Majesty’s armed forces.

Update, 17.18: Here is the summary of the government’s legal position:

SUMMARY OF THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL POSITION ON MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ AGAINST ISIL

  1. This note sets out the Government’s position on the legal basis for the deployment of UK forces to take military action to strike ISIL sites and military strongholds in Iraq. 

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