Jeremy Corbyn on Syria

Jeremy Corbyn has consistently positioned himself as a strong opponent of UK military intervention in Syria, particularly regarding airstrikes against ISIL. In a December 2015 speech, he argued that extending British bombing into Syria was an ill-thought-out rush to war, lacking a coherent diplomatic strategy and failing to meet the tests set by the Foreign Affairs Committee. He expressed deep concern that further bombing would inevitably lead to the deaths of innocents and worsen the refugee crisis, suggesting that the logic of air campaigns leads to mission creep and the possibility of Western ground troops. He maintained that the only way to defeat ISIL and bring hope to Syrians was through a negotiated political and diplomatic settlement involving all regional powers.

His stance has also drawn criticism for what some perceived as a lack of direct condemnation of the Assad regime, even when discussing the horrors faced by Syrians under its rule. However, more recent statements show him welcoming the end of the Assad regime and calling for justice for crimes against humanity, while still focusing parliamentary questioning on the withdrawal of foreign forces, including Israel and Turkey, to allow the Kurdish people self-determination. His overall approach centers on non-intervention, accountability through international processes, and supporting a future decided by Syrians themselves.