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RAF Tornado jets leave UK for Iraq aid mission RAF Tornado jets leave UK for Iraq aid mission
(35 minutes later)
RAF Tornado aircraft have left the UK for Cyprus from where they are set to help efforts to deliver aid to refugees trapped on mountains in northern Iraq. RAF Tornado aircraft have left the UK for Cyprus from where they will support efforts to deliver aid to refugees trapped on mountains in northern Iraq.
Three jets left at 14:00 BST (13:00 GMT) and will carry out surveillance ahead of further airdrops to refugees.Three jets left at 14:00 BST (13:00 GMT) and will carry out surveillance ahead of further airdrops to refugees.
The UN has warned tens of thousands of civilians who fled from militants remain trapped on the mountains.The UN has warned tens of thousands of civilians who fled from militants remain trapped on the mountains.
It comes as Islamic State (IS) fighters seized areas of Iraq, with reports of the slaughter of religious minorities.It comes as Islamic State (IS) fighters seized areas of Iraq, with reports of the slaughter of religious minorities.
Among those reportedly being targeted by the jihadists are Iraqi Christians and members of the Yazidi religious sect.Among those reportedly being targeted by the jihadists are Iraqi Christians and members of the Yazidi religious sect.
The UN Refugee Agency said about 35,000 people had escaped from the mountains into Syria and then into the Kurdistan region of Iraq in the past three days.The UN Refugee Agency said about 35,000 people had escaped from the mountains into Syria and then into the Kurdistan region of Iraq in the past three days.
It said most were "exhausted, dehydrated and many have suffered sun or heat stroke". But it said "an estimated 20,000 to 30,000" - members of the Yazidi sect - remain trapped without food, water or shelter.It said most were "exhausted, dehydrated and many have suffered sun or heat stroke". But it said "an estimated 20,000 to 30,000" - members of the Yazidi sect - remain trapped without food, water or shelter.
The UN warned they need "life-saving assistance", saying an estimated 700,000 Yazidis had been displaced. The UN warned they needed "life-saving assistance", saying an estimated 700,000 Yazidis had been displaced.
Mirza Dinnay, a Yazidi relief worker, who was on board an Iraqi Air Force helicopter evacuating the trapped refugees, described the situation on the ground as "a genocide".Mirza Dinnay, a Yazidi relief worker, who was on board an Iraqi Air Force helicopter evacuating the trapped refugees, described the situation on the ground as "a genocide".
He told the BBC he had seen what looks like hundreds of dead bodies and said people had fought to get on board the helicopter after they landed. He told the BBC he had seen what looked like hundreds of bodies and said people had fought to get on board the helicopter after they landed.
US forces have carried out four rounds of air strikes targeting IS militants near Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.US forces have carried out four rounds of air strikes targeting IS militants near Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Humanitarian role Analysis by James Robbins, diplomatic correspondent
The Tornados left RAF Marham, in Norfolk, destined for RAF Akrotiri, in Cyprus, earlier. The government is steadily increasing its commitment to the humanitarian mission in northern Iraq, but still resisting pressure to join in US air strikes or put British military boots on the ground.
The Ministry of Defence would not say how many jets were taking part in the mission, but BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said it was likely to be between six and eight Tornados. Some critics have complained the response has been sluggish, others want direct military intervention and a growing number of MPs are urging the recall of Parliament. So far, the prime minister has been reluctant to encourage the speaker of the Commons to initiate such a debate.
He said the MoD had stressed the jets would be taking on a humanitarian role and helping to identify safe areas on the ground on Mount Sinjar for supplies to be dropped. That may be because ministers fear they could not predict the outcome of any eventual vote, after losing last summer's vote over intervention in Syria.
The Tornados have been equipped with reconnaissance pods, which will be used to carry out surveillance to help the RAF C-130 Hercules cargo planes target where humanitarian supplies should be dropped. With a new foreign secretary who's been in post less than a month, and two Foreign Office ministers resigning in the past week, the emphasis from Whitehall now is on considering each step with great care.
An RAF aid drop had to be aborted on Sunday over fears people on the ground could be injured by the cargo.
Three Tornados left RAF Marham in Norfolk earlier - destined for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus - to help RAF C-130 Hercules cargo planes identify safe areas on the ground to drop supplies.
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said it was likely that between six and eight Tornados, equipped with reconnaissance pods, would take part in the humanitarian mission.
Chinook helicopters
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said the government was also considering sending Chinook helicopters to Iraq.BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said the government was also considering sending Chinook helicopters to Iraq.
He said Whitehall sources had confirmed their possible use was part of ongoing "prudent planning".
Our correspondent said it was "inconceivable" that the RAF Tornados would not be armed during flights over Iraq. But he said any prospect of UK planes taking part in strikes "does not seem to be likely at the moment".Our correspondent said it was "inconceivable" that the RAF Tornados would not be armed during flights over Iraq. But he said any prospect of UK planes taking part in strikes "does not seem to be likely at the moment".
He said the UK government would have to discuss any potential plans to carry out airstrikes in Iraq with the government of Cyprus - where the Tornados will be based. He said the UK government would have to discuss any potential plans to carry out airstrikes in Iraq with the government of Cyprus - where the Tornados are based.
Elsewhere, former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has added his voice to calls for Parliament to reconvene to discuss Britain's response. Meanwhile, former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell added his voice to calls for Parliament to reconvene to discuss Britain's response.
"The government would be well advised to recall Parliament," he said, to share with MPs "everything that the government has done and - at the moment at least - is intending to do"."The government would be well advised to recall Parliament," he said, to share with MPs "everything that the government has done and - at the moment at least - is intending to do".
Before he chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond was asked by reporters if MPs should be recalled to Westminster, but replied: "Not for the moment, no." But Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, speaking after a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, said this was not necessary.
'Life-saving aid'
BBC correspondent Andrew Plant, at Cotswold AirportBBC correspondent Andrew Plant, at Cotswold Airport
The pallets of aid here at the UK Aid warehouse are about 1.5 metres cubed in size and they are stacked from floor to ceiling, ten pallets high. Here and there are empty spaces where aid has already been removed to be dropped in Iraq. The pallets of aid here at the UK Aid warehouse are about 1.5 metres cubed in size and they are stacked from floor to ceiling, 10 pallets high. Here and there are empty spaces where aid has already been removed to be dropped in Iraq.
On a table there are some of the supplies laid out, including a large white tarpaulin for refugees to use to shelter from Iraq's blazing sun. On a table some of the supplies are laid out, including a large white tarpaulin for refugees to shelter from Iraq's blazing sun.
There is what looks like a yellow jerrycan, which can be filled with dirty water. A few pumps of a handle makes fresh water dribble from the other end. The filter will last for around two years, giving thousands of litres of drinking water.There is what looks like a yellow jerrycan, which can be filled with dirty water. A few pumps of a handle makes fresh water dribble from the other end. The filter will last for around two years, giving thousands of litres of drinking water.
Lastly, there is a solar-powered lamp, which has a multi-head adaptor so it can be plugged into mobile phones to charge them.Lastly, there is a solar-powered lamp, which has a multi-head adaptor so it can be plugged into mobile phones to charge them.
That is important for aid agencies, as they need to be able to talk to people on the ground in Iraq to establish where they are and what they need.That is important for aid agencies, as they need to be able to talk to people on the ground in Iraq to establish where they are and what they need.
Mobile phones are the best way to do that.
Iraq crisis: What is 'life-saving aid'?
'Deeply worrying'
On Monday night, RAF crews dropped supplies including 3,180 reusable water purification containers containing a total of 15,900 litres of clean water, and 816 solar lamps that can also be used to charge mobile phones.On Monday night, RAF crews dropped supplies including 3,180 reusable water purification containers containing a total of 15,900 litres of clean water, and 816 solar lamps that can also be used to charge mobile phones.
The first drop took place on Saturday, delivering 1,200 water containers and 240 solar lanterns.The first drop took place on Saturday, delivering 1,200 water containers and 240 solar lanterns.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the humanitarian situation in Iraq was "deeply worrying". International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the humanitarian situation in Iraq was "deeply worrying" but UK aid was helping those who needed it.
"IS terrorists continue to contest towns and villages south of Irbil and in the Sinjar area and the Yazidi community face appalling conditions, cut off on Mount Sinjar.
"UK aid is already helping the people who desperately need it."
Downing Street has said the government is working closely with Iraqi, Kurdish and international representatives to "mitigate safety concerns" that led to the cancellation of an aid drop on Sunday.
No 10 said in a statement: "The challenge of getting aid safely to those on the mountain reinforces the need for a long-term solution that gets these people to safety."
Ms Greening has also announced that four organisations - Mercy Corps, Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee and Action Against Hunger - are to share the £3m earmarked by the British government for charities operating in Iraq.Ms Greening has also announced that four organisations - Mercy Corps, Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee and Action Against Hunger - are to share the £3m earmarked by the British government for charities operating in Iraq.
Who are the Yazidis?Who are the Yazidis?