British Special Forces were last night hunting Syrian missiles in readiness of Allied air strikes 28.

A military source said: “It is vital they find every missile site that could threaten British ships or RAF jets and they will probably be taken out by missiles fired from offshore. The risk of capture to these special forces units is off the scale and nobody can be trusted in Syria.”

The British hunt for missiles and chemical weapons – which includes the SAS, Special Boat Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and MI6 spies – is one of the most hazardous in modern times as they are up against Assad’s forces as well as some rebel elements.

Syria has one of the most sophisticated Soviet-designed air defence systems outside of the former Eastern Bloc countries. In August 2006, Russian sources confirmed that the first battery of Strelets SA-24 multiple launch units had been delivered to Syria, although the Russian Ministry of Defence subsequently denied the transaction, claiming the contract had not yet been signed.

At the top of the hit list are the President’s sophisticated long-range mobile missile batteries – some of which could be used against our jets.

Special forces troops will use laser and satellite technology to pinpoint the exact location of the key sites so they can be hit in a way that minimises the risk to civilians.

Spies have already found scores of major military installations and ammo dumps in the war-stricken country.

Now the British military is waiting for the political green light as it prepares to act.

A huge force of Royal Navy warships and RAF jets could be called into action if MPs vote for air and sea strikes.

But it is likely any attack would involve a small number of precision missile strikes, launched from outside Syria.

The Navy will spearhead any UK operation against Assad, followed by the RAF, both working with US and French forces, but regular troops will not be sent in.

It is thought nuclear submarine HMS Tireless has been repositioned in the Mediterranean in readiness to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles against Assad’s military.