Anti-war voices have warned since the start of the Iraq operation that the bombing campaign – disastrous in itself – will morph into western involvement in a ground war.

Two announcements in the last two weeks have shown the direction US foreign policy in the Middle East and Afghanistan is heading.

Despite previous denials, President Obama recently authorised a doubling of US forces on the ground in Iraq to 3,100. Then, on the quiet over this last weekend, President Obama announced a change of plan in Afghanistan allowing the US military forces that remain there to actively participate in the war against the Taliban.

The New York Times reports that new authorisation also allows the deployment of American jets, bombers and drones.

There will be growing pressure on the British to follow suit. Already there are British troops on the ground in Iraq in an advisory and training role. We need to keep the pressure up on our government to end this mission creep now and to stop the bombing of Iraq.

• Download the petition Stop the bombing of Iraq and collect signatures • Order your copy of the new pamphlet No Iraq 3. Or order 10 for just £15 including postage • Attend one of the many local events taking place across the UK campaigning against the spread of war. Please do your part and campaign, educate or donate about the human suffering, imperial permanent wars in the Near East.

For my part, I am organising two events: One for Gaza, and the other for Peace in Iraq. If you are in Oxford, London, Bristol or in the South West, then come and join me. The first event is on 19 December; the other is on 23 December, 7-9pm.

I look forward to seeing you.

Axmed Bahjad Fleet Street Swindon