British PM Warns of Military Action in Iraq

British PM Warns of Military Action in Iraq

Britain may have to use its military prowess to tackle the threat posed 
by the "poisonous" brand of Islamic extremism in Iraq that could bring 
terror to the UK, Prime Minister David Cameron warned today as he 
described the fight against jihadists a "generational struggle".

"True security will only be achieved if we use all our resources – aid, 
diplomacy, our military prowess – to help bring about a more stable 
world. If we do not act to stem the onslaught of this exceptionally 
dangerous terrorist movement, it will only grow stronger until it can 
target us on the streets of Britain," Cameron wrote in 'The Sunday 
Telegraph'.

In his article, he said that "humanitarian response" to the Islamic State (IS) was not enough.

"We need a firm security response, whether that is military action to go
after the terrorists, international cooperation on intelligence and 
counter-terrorism or uncompromising action against terrorists at home," 
he said.

"I believe we will be fighting this generational struggle for the rest of my political lifetime," Cameron said.

"We face in Isil (IS) a new threat that is single-minded, determined and
unflinching in pursuit of its objectives," Cameron wrote.

IS has seized large parts of northern Iraq and Syria over the summer. 
Kurdish forces, supported by US air strikes, are battling to retake 
Mosul dam from IS fighters in northern Iraq.

There are also continuing reports of massacres of non-Muslims by the 
extreme Sunni group, which is seeking to build a new Islamic state 
spanning Iraq and Syria.

Whole communities of Yazidis and Christians have been forced to flee in 
the north, along with Shia Iraqis, whom IS do not regard as true 
Muslims.

Cameron made clear that he did not see this as a "war on terror" but as 
"a battle between Islam on the one hand and extremists who want to abuse
Islam on the other".

Warning that Islamic State fighters already control thousands of square 
miles of territory, he says that if these "warped and barbaric" 
extremists are not dealt with now, they will create a "terrorist state" 
on the shores of the Mediterranean. 

"The creation of an extremist caliphate in the heart of Iraq and 
extending into Syria is not a problem miles away from home. Nor is it a 
problem that should be defined by a war 10 years ago. It is our concern 
here and now," he said.

"Because if we do not act to stem the onslaught of this exceptionally 
dangerous terrorist movement, it will only grow stronger until it can 
target us on the streets of Britain. We already know that it has the 
murderous intent."

His strong views came as Church leaders across the UK expressed concern 
that Britain had no "coherent" approach to tackling Islamic extremism.

The Bishop of Leeds warned "many" senior clergy in the Church of England
were seriously concerned about Britain's approach to the handling of 
the Iraq crisis.

The Right Rev Nicholas Baines has written to Cameron asking about the 
government's overall strategy in response to the humanitarian situation 
and to IS.

"Behind this question is the serious concern that we do not seem to have
a coherent or comprehensive approach to Islamist extremism as it is 
developing across the globe," he wrote, in a letter published on his 
website.