David Cameron: UK not getting involved in another war in Iraq

David Cameron has said Britain is “not going to get involved in another war in Iraq”.

 

The Prime Minister warned yesterday that the Islamic State (IS) militant group might target the UK unless action was taken, saying the extremism crisis in Iraq could directly affect the UK. 

 

But during an interview with BBC Breakfast he insisted “no boots on the ground” would be deployed, and that the safety of the people in the UK was his number one priority. 

 

He did, however, pledge to tackle what he described as the “monstrous” IS, which has taken control of large parts of northern Iraq and Syria in recent months. He said Britain would “use the assets we do have” to back the allies and Iraqi government. 

 

The Sunni extremist group has reportedly carried out mass killings of non-muslims as it attempts to establish a religious state, or caliphate, in the area. 

 

His comments follow those of defence secretary Michael Fallon, who said during a visit to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus that the UK's military involvement in Iraq could last for months. 

 

"There may well now be in the next few weeks and months other ways that we may need to help save life [and] protect people and we are going to need all of you again and the surveillance you are able to give us," he said to service members.

 

"We want to help the new government of Iraq and Kurdish forces. We want to help them stop the advance of IS and stop them from being terrorised.”