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| Islamic State conflict: RAF bombs Saddam palace in north Iraq | Islamic State conflict: RAF bombs Saddam palace in north Iraq |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A palace built by Saddam Hussein which was being used as a training centre for so-called Islamic State (IS) has been bombed by UK and coalition forces. | |
| The Ministry of Defence said the former dictator's complex in Mosul, north Iraq, was a "major" IS HQ and training centre for foreign recruits. | The Ministry of Defence said the former dictator's complex in Mosul, north Iraq, was a "major" IS HQ and training centre for foreign recruits. |
| RAF Tornados used guided bombs in what Defence Secretary Michael Fallon called "emphatic" airstrikes on Monday. | RAF Tornados used guided bombs in what Defence Secretary Michael Fallon called "emphatic" airstrikes on Monday. |
| Mosul, Iraq's second city, has been under IS control since June 2014. | Mosul, Iraq's second city, has been under IS control since June 2014. |
| The UK is part of a US-led international coalition conducting airstrikes on IS targets in Syria and Iraq. | The UK is part of a US-led international coalition conducting airstrikes on IS targets in Syria and Iraq. |
| Special report: Islamic State conflict | Special report: Islamic State conflict |
| Islamic State crisis in seven charts | Islamic State crisis in seven charts |
| The Ministry of Defence has released details of a series of operations over the past week - including the bombing of a "safe house" for foreign fighters in Iraq, and IS "terrorist strongpoints" close to Syria's border with Turkey. | The Ministry of Defence has released details of a series of operations over the past week - including the bombing of a "safe house" for foreign fighters in Iraq, and IS "terrorist strongpoints" close to Syria's border with Turkey. |
| Two Tornado jets dropped the largest guided bombs they use, the Enhanced Paveway III, on Saddam's palace, a statement said. | Two Tornado jets dropped the largest guided bombs they use, the Enhanced Paveway III, on Saddam's palace, a statement said. |
| 'Successful mission' | 'Successful mission' |
| "Extensive surveillance" of the complex, located next to the river Tigris, found the main palace building was being used as accommodation and a meeting venue for foreign IS recruits, while outbuildings were used for training, internal security and "repression", the MoD said. | "Extensive surveillance" of the complex, located next to the river Tigris, found the main palace building was being used as accommodation and a meeting venue for foreign IS recruits, while outbuildings were used for training, internal security and "repression", the MoD said. |
| Seven nations were involved in the attack on the complex on Monday afternoon, with initial indications suggesting the mission was successful, it added. | Seven nations were involved in the attack on the complex on Monday afternoon, with initial indications suggesting the mission was successful, it added. |
| Details of the latest air strikes against IS, also known as Daesh, were given as the defence secretary visited the crews involved, who are based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. | Details of the latest air strikes against IS, also known as Daesh, were given as the defence secretary visited the crews involved, who are based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. |
| Mr Fallon said: "Daesh has been losing followers and territory for months, and emphatic strikes like this show that we and the coalition will not waver. | Mr Fallon said: "Daesh has been losing followers and territory for months, and emphatic strikes like this show that we and the coalition will not waver. |
| "Daesh fighters, both foreign and home-grown, can see that they are targets inside this cult." | "Daesh fighters, both foreign and home-grown, can see that they are targets inside this cult." |
| UK MPs approved UK air strikes in Iraq against IS in September 2014. | UK MPs approved UK air strikes in Iraq against IS in September 2014. |
| Mr Fallon said at the time that the parliamentary vote followed a request for help from the UN by the Iraqi government. | Mr Fallon said at the time that the parliamentary vote followed a request for help from the UN by the Iraqi government. |
| In December 2015, the UK also launched air strikes targeting IS in Syria after MPs voted for action. | In December 2015, the UK also launched air strikes targeting IS in Syria after MPs voted for action. |