Justin Welby says UK military action in Syria 'almost inevitable'

The Church of England has effectively backed military intervention by the UK government in Syria by unanimously passing a motion which implied support for the use of armed force in establishing safe routes for refugees, with the personal endorsement of the archbishop of Canterbury.

Justin Welby spelled out that the motion, debated at the C of E synod in London, essentially committed the church to supporting military action. “The implications are enormous,” he said, adding that he backed the motion.

Armed action was “almost inevitable” in response to the crisis in Syria, Welby said. The forces that were driving people to become refugees needed to be confronted, he added.