Britain's RAF Begins First Combat Mission Against ISIS

U.K. Royal Air Force warplanes are flying their first combat mission against Islamic State militants in Iraq.

The Tornado combat jets left RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus this morning after the U.K. Parliament backed a government motion authorizing attacks on the Sunni extremist group, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

“RAF Tornadoes continue to fly over Iraq and are now ready to be used in an attack role as and when appropriate targets are identified,” the ministry said.

Prime Minister David Cameron needed the backing of lawmakers before ordering the RAF to join the U.S. and France in attacking Islamic State militants in Iraq. Parliament backed the motion to attack the extremist group by 524 votes to 43 yesterday. No vote was taken on whether to strike Islamic State targets in Syria.

The U.S. and France have made more than 200 air strikes in Iraq this week against Islamic State militants, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Friday.