Obama applauds British lawmakers' vote in favor of airstrikes in Syria

President Barack Obama is cheering signs that coalition allies are deepening their involvement in the campaign against the Islamic State.

In a statement released by the White House, Obama says he welcomes British lawmakers' vote in favor of joining in the air campaign in Syria. He also welcomes news that Germany may commit up to 1,200 support troops to the mission. The deployment still needs final approval, but Obama says it's a sign that Germany is committed to fighting a "shared threat."

The White House has sought to enlist additional support for the anti-IS campaign in the wake of the attacks in Paris.

Obama says the Islamic State group "is a global threat that must be defeated by a global response." He praised the allies' steps as demonstrating the coalition's "unity and resolve."