Syrian air strikes: David Cameron pushes for UK military intervention after Paris attacks

The Islamic State (Isis) terror attacks on Paris only strengthen the case for UK air strikes on Syria, David Cameron has declared. The prime minister argued that it was important for Britain to intervene in the Syrian civil war and promised to personally build support for a vote in the House of Commons on the issue by authoring a "comprehensive review".

The Conservative leader, who was defeated in the chamber over a vote to bomb President Bashar al-Assad and his forces in 2013, told MPs that he would also respond to a critical report from the Foreign Affairs Committee published on 3 November.

"We cannot remain neutral in this battle of ideas – we have to back those who share our values with practical help and political representation," Cameron said. "It is from Raqqa that some of the main threats against this country are orchestrated. Raqqa, if you like, is the head of the snake."

"Over Syria we are supporting our allies – the US, France, Jordan and the Gulf countries – with intelligence, surveillance and refuelling. But I believe, as I've said many times before, we should be doing more."

The prime minister added: "We face a direct and growing threat to our country and we need to deal with it – not just in Iraq – but in Syria too.

"I've always said there's a strong case for us to do so, our allies are asking us to do this and the case for doing so has only grown stronger after the Paris attacks. We cannot expect, we should not expect, others to carry the burdens and risks of protecting our country."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded to Cameron's statement by asking the prime minister to consider the consequences of the Iraq War, which he warned IS emerged from. The left-winger also stressed that British involvement in Syria would have to be backed by the "international community" as well as the United Nations, including a long-term plan for the country.

The comments come after the French military launched a series of air strikes on IS targets in Syria in the wake of the Paris attacks. Russia has also continued its involvement in the country by backing Assad. Cameron, speaking at a G20 summit in Turkey on 16 November, said that he still had disagreements with President Vladimir Putin over Russia's targeting of the Free Syrian Army.