Battling ISIS: Britain Won't Rule Out Airstrikes

Britain has not ruled out airstrikes against ISIS, a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters on Thursday. The British foreign secretary had told reporters earlier in Berlin that Britain would not take part in airstrikes in Syria. The prime minister’s spokesman said later that the secretary was talking about airstrikes considered last year against the regime of President Bashar Assad of Syria.

Germany said it had not been asked to take part in airstrikes and would not do so. Turkey, a potentially important American partner that is reluctant to join the fight, attended a meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry in Saudi Arabia but did not sign an agreement to provide military help.

• U.S. to Target ISIS Leaders, Seized Weapons
• Syrian Opposition Welcomes Obama's Announcement
• Obama Warns ISIS: 'If You Threaten America, You Will Find No Safe Haven'

— Erin McClam with Reuters and The Associated Press