whom he has been canvassing in support of his opposition to extending UK military action. And he "seriously questioned" the Prime Minister's claim in making the case for airstrikes that there are 70,000 moderate Syrian fighters to take on Islamic State militants on the ground.
Mr Corbyn's robust stance puts him on collision course with his own frontbench team, many of who are thought to back airstrikes.
Former business secretary Chuka Umunna has told Sky News he would defy the whip if instructed to oppose military action.
He said: "This isn't about the internal politics of the Labour Party. I think on this issue you have to do what is right.
"On this issue I am clear our national security is threatened by ISIL."
Mr Corbyn said no decision had yet been taken on whether Labour MPs would be given a free vote.
He said: "I'm going to find out what MPs think. Obviously there are strong views on both directions."
Mr Corbyn said he had received 70,000 responses to a survey sent out to Labour supporters on Friday seeking their opinions - a move criticised as an attempt to use the party's grassroots membership to "bounce" the shadow cabinet.
"My view about the membership of the Labour Party is that they must have a voice," he said.
"Labour MPs need to listen to that voice, need to try and understand where people are coming from on this. We will come to a decision as a party."
The veteran MP, who was a regular rebel on the backbenches, said: "I understand dissent, I understand disagreement from leadership. I am respectful of differences of opinion within our party."
But he added: "It's the leader who decides. I will make up my mind in due course."
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell argued all party leaders should give their MPs a free vote.
He told Sky News members should be allowed to be guided by their consciences.
Mr Corbyn warned of large numbers of civilian casualties if RAF bombing raids went ahead in Syria and argued it may "actually make the situation worse not better".
But Defence Secretary Michael Fallon dismissed claims airstrikes on IS strongholds would lead to heavy civilian casualties.
He argued precision strikes by the RAF had not claimed a single civilian life during action taken against IS in Iraq.
France had called on the UK to act and failure to do so would leave the country less safe, Mr Fallon insisted.
He has warned the terror attacks in Paris could "easily" happen in London and said the only way to deal with Islamic State extremists was by force.
On the 70,000-strong Syrian force referred to by the PM, Mr Fallon admitted they were not "a new model army", but said: "We do know who they are and this is an independent joint intelligence committee assessment, it's not ministers making this figure, it's their assessment and it's supported by academics."
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