British parliament to vote on air strikes in Iraq within hours

British politicians are tonight expected to vote in favour of launching air strikes in Iraq.

If the motion passes, fighter jets stationed in Cyprus could, in theory, be deployed within minutes.

But similar to Australia, intervention will only extend to Iraq.

The motion does not endorse any British airstrikes in Syria and any proposal to do so would require a separate vote.

The motion is also restricted to air strikes meaning there will be no combat troops deployed on the ground.

The vote comes a year after Prime Minister David Cameron was humiliated in parliament after a vote on military action in Syria was rejected.

But this time it’s different.

One British hostage has been killed, two more are at risk and as many as 500 home-grown jihadis have joined the fight in Syria and Iraq.