U.S.-led coalition targets IS oil facilities in eastern Syria

LONDON -- British Tornado jets struck oil fields in eastern Syria on Thursday that help finance the Islamic State group, and Germany prepared to send reconnaissance aircraft to the Middle East as coalition forces stepped up efforts to fight the militants.

The strikes at the Omar oil field came hours after Britain's Parliament authorized military action in Syria against the extremists. Although several of the oil fields already have been hit by the U.S.-led coalition, Britain chose a target with low risk of collateral damage for its first strike in Syria.

"This strikes a very real blow at the oil and the revenue on which the Daesh terrorists depend," defense secretary Michael Fallon told the BBC, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, called for "one powerful fist" in the global fight against the Islamic State group following the downing of a Russian jetliner over Egypt and last month's attacks in Paris, both claimed by the extremist group.

Speaking in his state-of-the-nation address, Putin accused Washington and its allies of turning Iraq, Syria and Libya into a "zone of chaos and anarchy threatening the entire world" by supporting changes of regime in those countries.

"We must leave all arguments and disagreements behind and make one powerful fist, a single anti-terror front, which would work on the basis of international law under the aegis of the United Nations," Putin said, addressing lawmakers and top officials gathered in an ornate Kremlin hall.

The efforts to forge unity gained momentum as Fallon confirmed eight more jets were on their way to Britain's base in Cyprus to join the attacks and warned military action against IS could continue for years, not months.

Other allies also moved to get equipment into place. Germany's government said it plans to send up to six Tornado reconnaissance planes, tanker aircraft and a frigate to help protect the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean but won't actively engage in combat.

In all, up to 1,200 German soldiers would be deployed to support the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group. Two Tornados and a tanker could be sent to Turkey's Incirlik air base next week if the German Parliament approves the mission today as expected.

The bulk of German troops and planes likely won't arrive in the region until next month. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the mission would have three components: to protect French naval operations, provide intelligence through reconnaissance aircraft and satellite observation and offer logistical support such as in-air refueling for allied planes.

"The goal ... is to fight and contain IS and destroy their safe havens and their ability to lead worldwide terror operations," she told reporters in Berlin before heading to Ankara for talks with her Turkish counterpart.

If the German assistance is approved by Parliament today as expected, the frigate and Tornados are expected to be in place within the coming week but won't reach full operating capability until January.

France welcomed the first British airstrikes in Syria, saying they are a sign of the European solidarity promised after the deadly Nov. 13 attacks on Paris.