Spotlight: British parliament votes to bomb IS targets in Syria, Europe steps up military efforts

British fighter jets took off from Cyprus early Thursday shortly after the parliament greenlighted airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria, according to media reports.

Four Royal Air Force Tornados took off from a British air base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, media reports cited British government sources Thursday. There was yet any official announcement on the destination of the jets.

The British parliament approved on Wednesday, by 397 to 223, a government request for airstrike in Syria after more than 10 hours of tense debate.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who made a case by saying the IS is "plotting to kill us," was backed by most members of his ruling Conservative party, which holds 330 of the 650 Common seats, and the smaller Liberal Democrat Party and others.

Supports came also from the opposition Labour Party which was divided after the attacks on Nov. 13 in Paris, France, that killed 130 people.

"These terrorists are plotting to kill us and to radicalize our children right now. They attack us because of who we are, not because of what we do," Cameron told the House of Commons.

He said "the question is this: do we work with our allies to degrade and destroy this threat, and do we go after these terrorists in their heartlands, from where they are plotting to kill British people, or do we sit back and wait for them to attack us?"

Still, many are wary of being dragged into another war in the Middle East. Dozens protested outside parliament following the vote, news agencies reported. They saw Western intervention in Iraq and Libya as a failure that sowed chaos.

Britain has already conducted airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq for over a year.

U.S. President Barack Obama, hailing the decision, said in a statement that "we look forward to having British forces flying with the Coalition over Syria, and will work to integrate them into our Coalition Air Tasking Orders as quickly as possible."

Aside from Russia and the United States, France has also been conducting airstrikes against IS in Syria.

Other parts of Europe are also seeking to step up military efforts.

The German cabinet approved on Tuesday a mandate offering military assistance in the fight against IS in Syria.

According to the mandate, the German armed forces will provide aid in the areas of military reconnaissance and logistics by making available reconnaissance satellite and reconnaissance planes as well as tanker aircraft.

In addition, a frigate will be sent as escort for the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which has been deployed to participate in operations against the IS.

In total, Germany plans to send up to 1,200 troops to support the fight against the IS.

The mandate still requires parliamentary approval, but it is very likely to pass since Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition has a huge majority.

Off the battle ground, France and Germany have been urging Europe to accelerate a crackdown on money laundering, saying they will put forward a package of new European Union measures next week to cut off funding to the militants.

According to French officials, attacks such as those in Paris could be financed with as little as 10,570-31,700 U.S. dollars with pre-paid bank cards an easy means of funding. Endi