LONDON – British Tornado jets carried out their first air raids in Syria on Thursday, hitting oil fields in the hands of Daesh (ISIS) in Syria, as British Prime Minister David Cameron warned that the war could take “some time.”

After the first strikes, following approval by lawmakers who authorized air missions extended from Iraq to Syria, Cameron said the operation in Syria would require "patience."

"It is complex and it is difficult what we are asking our pilots to do, and our thoughts should be with them and their families as they commence this important work," he said.

The mission to target so-called Islamic State militants in Syria could take "some time" and will require persistence, he added.
The British jets took off from Britain’s Akrotiri base in Cyprus.

RAF jets "successfully" conducted missions on six targets, attacking IS-controlled oilfields, Britain’s defense ministry confirmed.
There will be "strong support from our allies" for the action, Cameron said.

Britain has dispatched two additional Tornados and six Typhoons to the region to take part in attacks.

British MPs overwhelmingly backed military action in Syria, voting 397 to 223 in favor, after a 10-hour debate on Wednesday.

The decision to approve the mission was "good for the country,” the prime minister said, adding: "There was a compelling case for extending our air strikes from Iraq to Syria, and I was glad to see such strong support right across parliament."

Rudaw