United Kingdom joins fight against Islamic State

LONDON, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The British Parliament voted Friday in favor of joining the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State with airstrikes.

The 524-43 vote, after a seven-hour debate, committed warplanes to striking targets in Iraq, but avoided joining combat against the militant group in Syria.

Prime Minister David Cameron fervidly endorsed U.K. involvement, telling Parliament:

"This is about psychopathic terrorists that are trying to kill us and we do have to realize that, whether we like it or not, they have already declared war on us. There isn't a 'walk on by' option. There isn't an option of just hoping this will go away."

The United Kingdom was shocked by the IS beheading of David Haines, a British aid worker, last month, and is concerned radicalized Muslims within the country are plotting terrorist attacks. The vote did not address taking on the militants in Syria, although some lawmakers attempted to get the government to admit it is the planned next step in a conflict that could take years to resolve.

The affirmative vote crossed major party lines, although 23 Labor members voted against the resolution.

At present, Britain has only six military aircraft in the region -- Tornado fighter planes stationed in Cyprus.