Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential role of the UK in supporting tribal clan groups in Syria to act collectively to tackle ISIL.

Tackling ISIL requires a multi-faceted approach by both the international community and moderate Syrian opposition groups, including those of various ethnic and tribal backgrounds. The UK is supporting moderate opposition groups through the US-led train and equip programme. This programme aims to build the capabilities of moderate Syrian fighters to defend the Syrian people, stabilise areas under opposition control, promote the conditions for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Syria and empower trainees to eventually conduct offensive operations against ISIL.