Britain carries out first Syria airstrikes after MPs approve action against Isis

Britain has carried out its first airstrikes in Syria, hours after MPs voted overwhelmingly to authorise military action.

Four RAF Tornado jets were seen taking off from the Akrotiri base in Cyprus and the Ministry of Defence later confirmed it had carried out the “first offensive operation over Syria and have conducted strikes”.

The RAF jets carry a range of munitions including Paveway IV guided bombs and precision-guided Brimstone missiles. Defence officials refused to be drawn on the targets of their mission. The strikes were focused on six targets in an Isis-controlled oilfield in eastern Syria, the BBC reported.