Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

Syria resurfaces as divisive issue among Starmer government MPs

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: BBC
  • 13 Dec 2024 15:28
3 Min Read

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband reaffirms his decision to block UK military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2013, stating that he does not regret his stance.

  • x
  • Syria resurfaces as divisive issue among Starmer government MPs
    Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband listens as he tours the exhibition area during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, September 24, 2024. (AP)

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has stated that he does not regret his decision to block UK military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2013, BBC reported.

At the time, Prime Minister David Cameron sought to launch an attack on Syria after reports alleged that al-Assad had used chemical weapons against his own citizens in Damascus. However, Miliband, who was leading the Labour Party, instructed his MPs to vote against the proposal, which prevented the UK from participating in military action.

Speaking on Friday, Miliband defended his stance, explaining that there was no "clear exit strategy" and that he did not want to risk British troops being placed in "harm's way".

During a Question Time appearance, Miliband’s cabinet colleague, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was not an MP at the time, argued that the hesitation by the UK and the US in 2013 had created a vacuum that Russia filled, enabling al-Assad to remain in power for much longer. Streeting added, "What we cannot say is that the back of Assad is going to lead to a better Syria."

When asked if he agreed with Streeting, Miliband responded, "No, I don't." He explained that, after the war on Iraq, where hundreds of British troops died and thousands were injured, the UK could not commit forces without a clear plan.

Related News

Tensions ease in Sweida as all detainees released amid mediation

Fierce clashes breakout in Syria's Sweida, leading to displacement

He pointed out that even after US President Donald Trump bombed al-Assad in 2017 and 2018, it did not result in his downfall. Miliband concluded, "I welcome the fall of a brutal dictator… but those people who say if only we had taken military action he would have somehow fallen - I just frankly don't believe it."

Dive deeper

In 2013, the proposed action would have been airstrikes led by the US. The motion was defeated by 285 votes to 272, with opposition from Labour, 30 Conservatives, and nine Lib Dems. Following the vote, Cameron acknowledged that Parliament did not want military action and said he would "act accordingly".

Although then-US President Barack Obama had pledged to punish Syria for alleged chemical weapons use, he refrained from acting, partly due to a lack of support from allies, including the UK.

At the time, many Conservatives were frustrated, accusing Miliband of initially supporting Cameron but later reversing his stance.

Reports suggested that Miliband was warned of a potential rebellion from his MPs, many of whom were still opposed to the 2003 Iraq invasion, which reportedly left more than one million Iraqis killed.

The resurface of schism among MPs in Starmer's Cabinet comes after the fall of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the challenges of a new regime under HTS and the broader implications for the Middle East.

  • Syria
  • United States
  • war on Iraq
  • Keir Starmer
  • Ed Miliband
  • Bashar al-Assad

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS