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Iraq crisis: RAF Tornados could help aid effort, says No 10 Iraq crisis: RAF Tornados to be ready to join aid effort
(about 2 hours later)
The government is deploying RAF Tornado jets which could be used to assist the humanitarian relief operation in northern Iraq, No 10 has said. RAF Tornado jets are to be sent for possible use in the aid operation in northern Iraq, where many thousands of people are fleeing Islamist fighters.
A "small number" of jets could be used in a surveillance role to help in the delivery of aid supplies, it said. The Ministry of Defence said the planes would leave RAF Marham in Norfolk in the next 48 hours.
On Sunday night an RAF air drop of aid to thousands of people trapped in the Sinjar mountains was abandoned for fear they could be injured by the cargo. The bombers will not have a combat role, but could carry out surveillance to assist delivery of aid supplies.
The PM is resisting pressure to recall Parliament to debate a military role. Here, the prime minister is resisting pressure to recall Parliament to debate a military role in the Iraq crisis.
David Cameron's spokeswoman said a recall was "not on the cards", while Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond ruled out a combat role for the UK amid growing calls for military involvement.David Cameron's spokeswoman said a recall was "not on the cards", while Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond ruled out a combat role for the UK amid growing calls for military involvement.
Aid dropsAid drops
Islamic State (IS) fighters have seized territory across Iraq and Syria in the past few months, with continuing reports of the slaughter of Iraqi religious minority groups.Islamic State (IS) fighters have seized territory across Iraq and Syria in the past few months, with continuing reports of the slaughter of Iraqi religious minority groups.
Among those reportedly being targeted by fighters are Christians and Yazidis in the north of Iraq, where thousands of Yazidi civilians are trapped in the Sinjar mountains.Among those reportedly being targeted by fighters are Christians and Yazidis in the north of Iraq, where thousands of Yazidi civilians are trapped in the Sinjar mountains.
Downing Street said helping the trapped civilians was its "immediate priority".Downing Street said helping the trapped civilians was its "immediate priority".
"We have decided to pre-position a small number of Tornados in the region so that they could, if required, use their excellent surveillance capability to gather better situational awareness to help with humanitarian effort," No 10 said, following a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee."We have decided to pre-position a small number of Tornados in the region so that they could, if required, use their excellent surveillance capability to gather better situational awareness to help with humanitarian effort," No 10 said, following a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee.
It said this would be similar to the role Tornados played during floods in the UK earlier this year.It said this would be similar to the role Tornados played during floods in the UK earlier this year.
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said the Tornados - primarily used as bombers - could be fitted with reconnaissance pods. The Ministry of Defence said the jets, which it said would be operational by the end of the week, would not be used in a combat role.
He said a source had insisted the Tornados would not be used for air strikes. They are equipped with high-tech imaging equipment to pinpoint exactly where refugees are so aid drops could be targeted, the MoD said.
The RAF has made one drop of aid to the Sinjar mountains - but aborted a second over concerns for the safety of those on the ground. The next is likely to be carried out within the next 24 hours. The RAF has made one drop of aid to the Sinjar mountains - but aborted a second on Sunday over concerns for the safety of those on the ground. The next is likely to be carried out within the next 24 hours.
No 10 said it would be working with Iraqi, Kurdish and international representatives in the area "to mitigate safety concerns" that forced the abandonment of Sunday's delivery.No 10 said it would be working with Iraqi, Kurdish and international representatives in the area "to mitigate safety concerns" that forced the abandonment of Sunday's delivery.
The UK will also look at how it can play a role in getting equipment to Kurdish forces as they are better able to counter IS, No 10 added. The UK would also look at how it could play a role in getting equipment to Kurdish forces so they are better able to counter IS, No 10 added.
Meanwhile, the UK government has been facing calls to reconvene Parliament from politicians and senior members of the armed forces.Meanwhile, the UK government has been facing calls to reconvene Parliament from politicians and senior members of the armed forces.
But speaking after the Cobra meeting, Mr Hammond said: "I don't think that's necessary at this time. We are talking about a humanitarian intervention."But speaking after the Cobra meeting, Mr Hammond said: "I don't think that's necessary at this time. We are talking about a humanitarian intervention."
He added: "We don't envisage a combat role at the present time."He added: "We don't envisage a combat role at the present time."
Mr Cameron, who is on holiday in Portugal, remains "very much engaged" with decision-making on Iraq, his spokeswoman said.Mr Cameron, who is on holiday in Portugal, remains "very much engaged" with decision-making on Iraq, his spokeswoman said.
"Our focus is very much on the humanitarian effort at the moment. As such, recall is not on the cards," she said."Our focus is very much on the humanitarian effort at the moment. As such, recall is not on the cards," she said.
'Worth trying''Worth trying'
The US has carried out four rounds of air strikes targeting IS fighters near Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan - and there have been calls for Britain to participate in military action.The US has carried out four rounds of air strikes targeting IS fighters near Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan - and there have been calls for Britain to participate in military action.
Conservative MP Conor Burns, who has written to the speaker of the House of Commons asking him to recall Parliament to debate the issue, said he did not know whether MPs would support military action but it was "worth trying".Conservative MP Conor Burns, who has written to the speaker of the House of Commons asking him to recall Parliament to debate the issue, said he did not know whether MPs would support military action but it was "worth trying".
"These people are being beheaded by people from IS, and our only response is to drop some food or water on them," said the MP for Bournemouth West."These people are being beheaded by people from IS, and our only response is to drop some food or water on them," said the MP for Bournemouth West.
He said he though the UK should be involved in air strikes and UK special forces should be deployed. He said he thought the UK should be involved in air strikes and UK special forces should be deployed.
Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said "air strikes are absolutely correct" while Tory MPs Nick de Bois and David Burrowes have written to Mr Cameron also urging a recall of MPs.Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said "air strikes are absolutely correct" while Tory MPs Nick de Bois and David Burrowes have written to Mr Cameron also urging a recall of MPs.
Ex-Army chief Lord Dannatt added his voice to the calls, saying it was "not the moment for decision-makers to be on holiday". Ex-army chief Lord Dannatt added his voice to the calls, saying it was "not the moment for decision-makers to be on holiday".
He said UK troops might be needed on the ground to help support US military air strikes.He said UK troops might be needed on the ground to help support US military air strikes.
Senior US officials have told the Associated Press the US has begun supplying weapons to the Kurdish Peshmergas who are fighting the militants.Senior US officials have told the Associated Press the US has begun supplying weapons to the Kurdish Peshmergas who are fighting the militants.
Conservative MP Mr Burns said the UK should be "answering positively" requests from the Kurds to arm them, and that asylum should be offered in the UK.Conservative MP Mr Burns said the UK should be "answering positively" requests from the Kurds to arm them, and that asylum should be offered in the UK.
Iraq's minoritiesIraq's minorities
ChristiansChristians
YazidisYazidis