Syrian activist: 'The first problem is Bashar al-Assad'

Mohamed Alkhateb, a Turkey-based activist from Palmyra Coordination, who operate in the IS-occupied ancient city of Palmyra, said that while he supported the bombing of IS, they were not the main problem.

"The first problem is Bashar al-Assad," he told Middle East Eye.

"It is a good idea to bomb Islamic State, but the problem of the Syrian people is not only Islamic State - the source of all the problems is Bashar al-Assad's regime. IS violate all human rights, yes, but also Bashar al-Assad does that. Why is no-one protecting the Syrian people against Bashar al-Assad?"

He pointed out that the Assad government has already been bombing ruins in Palmyra.

"The regime are daily bombing Palmyra, but all those who are killed are civilians."

He said the British government could do more in Syria beyond bombing IS.

"Support the Free Syrian Army, coordination with the international community to make Assad withdraw from all areas. A lot of things can be done for the Syrian people, not only bombing IS. The first problem is Assad."