British jets could bomb targets in Syria without the consent of Bashar al-Assad, David Cameron claimed yesterday.
He rejected calls from some MPs to work with the dictator, insisting that Assad did not lead a “legitimate” government.
However, the issue of how to contend with Islamic State targets in Syria and what to do with Assad — and his air defences — emerged as a key doubt over British military intervention.
Mr Cameron dismissed claims that airstrikes in Syria would be illegal without Assad’s approval. “I don’t think it’s that complicated because obviously the Iraqi government is a legitimate government... whereas President Assad has committed war crimes on his own people and is therefore illegitimate,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“My view is that President Assad is part of the problem, rather than part of the solution. We have got to understand that Assad has been part of the creation of IS, rather than part of its answer.”
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Mr Cameron was supported by Dominic Grieve, a former attorney general, who outlined the legal basis for strikes against IS forces in Iraq and Syria. Mr Grieve said it could be possible to conduct military operations without the consent of President Assad’s regime. “If the Iraqi government requests assistance then, on the basis that there is an internal armed conflict going on in Iraq and on the basis that any British action is reasonable, necessary and proportionate to deal with and observes the laws of war, then yes, such action could be taken.
“There are occasions when you can take action without the consent of the government. One is if you get UN resolution. Secondly, you can get it under the right of self-defence in the UN charter. And the UK had always adhered to the view that in certain circumstances it is possible to tackle military action under the doctrine of humanitarian necessity, on the basis that the humanitarian catastrophe.”
Ed Miliband has made clear he is keeping his options open, but there are signs that while Labour would support airstrikes against Isis in Iraq, the party would be reluctant to back similar action inside Syria. “The Iraqi government has asked for help against Isis,” said one senior party figure. “That makes intervention legitimate. Syria is a completely different story.”
The issue of Syrian targeting was also raised by Tory MPs as they were canvassed by whips to test support for military action.
Some told their whips they would be hesitant to lend their support. John Baron, the MP for Basildon who led Tory opposition to David Cameron’s failed attempt to win parliamentary approval for airstrikes against Damascus, warned of the dangers of “mission creep.” He said that he would “listen to the arguments” about joining military intervention in Iraq but could not support similar action against Syria.
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Others said they would back military action. Andrew Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, said that this occasion would be very different to last year’s failed Syria vote. “The mood on the backbenches in regard to Isis is very different,” he said. “And the mood of the public is very different. They are a real threat to us in Britain.”