Britain says its pilots conducted airstrikes

July 17, 2015 5:53 AM

But we do have a long-standing embed programme with allies, where small numbers of UK personnel act under the command of host nations. That has been the case in Syria.

David Cameron.

British pilots have participated in airstrikes over Syria on the behalf of allies such as the United States and Canada, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday.

Prime Minister David Cameron failed to get approval from British lawmakers in 2013 for military action in Syria, though Britain conducts regular attacks in neighbouring Iraq.

"The UK itself is not conducting air strikes in Syria," a spokesman said.

Adding that "But we do have a long-standing embed programme with allies, where small numbers of UK personnel act under the command of host nations. That has been the case in Syria."