Lib Dems call for Syria action update

On Wednesday in the House of Commons the Liberal Democrats demanded an urgent update on the military situation in Syria and the ability for MPs to hold the government to account.

As part of the debate last year on military action in Syria, we said that we wanted to see regular updates to the House of Commons. The Prime Minister agreed to give quarterly statements. Three months on, it is time for David Cameron to stick to his promise.

Parliamentary questions have uncovered the UK military airstrikes in Syria have totalled 43 targets in Syria in three months and 319 Daesh targets in Iraq.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tom Brake said:

It is critical that wherever our Armed Forces are in active combat that the government is as open as possible about the progress of that activity. Parliament voted to support the extension of airstrikes to Syria on the basis that we would be provided with regular updates, and 3 months on from that vote it is time for the government to deliver that promise.

"There is no quick fix solution to fighting Daesh in Syria or Iraq. Success rests heavily on the progression of the peace process in Syria. What is unclear is what progress has been made on attacking ISIL's sources of finance, fighters and weapons, what assessment has been made of civilian casualties and whether ISIL's overall position has been changed in the last three months. These are the key points we need answers on, answers which the government is duty bound to provide.

I'm sure Tom will not let too much time go by before prompting again.