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Iraq: RAF Tornado jets set for surveillance mission Iraq: RAF Tornado jets set for surveillance mission
(35 minutes later)
RAF Tornado jets are set to carry out surveillance operations to support the delivery of aid to refugees trapped on mountains in northern Iraq.RAF Tornado jets are set to carry out surveillance operations to support the delivery of aid to refugees trapped on mountains in northern Iraq.
The planes flew from the UK on Monday to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.The planes flew from the UK on Monday to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Three consignments of aid have already been dropped by the UK, and more are planned. Three consignments of aid have now been dropped by the UK, and more are planned.
The UN has warned that tens of thousands of civilians are trapped by fighters from militant group Islamic State (IS).The UN has warned that tens of thousands of civilians are trapped by fighters from militant group Islamic State (IS).
US forces have carried out a number of air strikes targeting IS militants near Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, while drones have also fired on jihadist fighters.US forces have carried out a number of air strikes targeting IS militants near Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, while drones have also fired on jihadist fighters.
Additionally the US had sent 130 more military advisers to the Kurdish region of northern Iraq.Additionally the US had sent 130 more military advisers to the Kurdish region of northern Iraq.
Jihadists are reportedly targeting Iraqi Christians and members of the Yazidi religious sect.Jihadists are reportedly targeting Iraqi Christians and members of the Yazidi religious sect.
About 35,000 people have escaped from the mountains into Syria and then into the Kurdistan region of Iraq in the past three days, with the UN warning they needed "life-saving assistance".About 35,000 people have escaped from the mountains into Syria and then into the Kurdistan region of Iraq in the past three days, with the UN warning they needed "life-saving assistance".
Some 700,000 Yazidis are believed to been displaced.Some 700,000 Yazidis are believed to been displaced.
The Foreign Office confirmed a "small number" of Chinook helicopters would be sent - as well as Tornado jets - for "further relief options". The Foreign Office confirmed a "small number" of Chinook helicopters will also be sent for "further relief options".
Their departure follows an aborted RAF aid drop on Sunday over fears people on the ground could be injured by the cargo.
A No 10 statement said it had also agreed to transport "critical military re-supplies" provided by other countries to Kurdish forces fighting IS militants.A No 10 statement said it had also agreed to transport "critical military re-supplies" provided by other countries to Kurdish forces fighting IS militants.
The UK government had continually said operations in Iraq were to provide humanitarian help to refugees.The UK government had continually said operations in Iraq were to provide humanitarian help to refugees.
The Downing Street statement said three UK aid drops had now taken place in Iraq, adding: "We will continue with these deliveries." The Downing Street statement added: "We will continue with these deliveries."
"Meanwhile urgent planning to get those trapped on the mountainside to safety will continue in the coming days between ourselves and US, the Kurdish authorities and other partners," it added."Meanwhile urgent planning to get those trapped on the mountainside to safety will continue in the coming days between ourselves and US, the Kurdish authorities and other partners," it added.
It said the UK would also continue to "lead negotiations" on a UN Security Council Resolution that would make clear the "shared determination of the international community" to tackle the threat posed by IS.It said the UK would also continue to "lead negotiations" on a UN Security Council Resolution that would make clear the "shared determination of the international community" to tackle the threat posed by IS.
Former Conservative defence secretary Liam Fox told The Mail the UK would need to join in with military action being conducted by the US.Former Conservative defence secretary Liam Fox told The Mail the UK would need to join in with military action being conducted by the US.
He said: "The idea that this is not our problem is wishful thinking at best, and catastrophic complacency at worst. Yet in the face of all evidence there has been policy paralysis in the West."He said: "The idea that this is not our problem is wishful thinking at best, and catastrophic complacency at worst. Yet in the face of all evidence there has been policy paralysis in the West."
He went on to describe IS as "our enemy" and said: "Either we use our military power to degrade and diminish their military capabilities, so that the countries in the region are able to deal with them effectively, or we can ensure that we supply our allies in the region with the equipment and knowledge they need to do the job themselves."He went on to describe IS as "our enemy" and said: "Either we use our military power to degrade and diminish their military capabilities, so that the countries in the region are able to deal with them effectively, or we can ensure that we supply our allies in the region with the equipment and knowledge they need to do the job themselves."
Colonel Tim Collins, who commanded British troops in Iraq, echoed Mr Fox's sentiments in The Daily Telegraph and accused the government of failing in its "moral obligation" to intervene.Colonel Tim Collins, who commanded British troops in Iraq, echoed Mr Fox's sentiments in The Daily Telegraph and accused the government of failing in its "moral obligation" to intervene.
He said: "In the next months ancient civilisations will be extinguished on our watch unless we act."He said: "In the next months ancient civilisations will be extinguished on our watch unless we act."
He described the ongoing aid drops as little more than "a pebble in the ocean".He described the ongoing aid drops as little more than "a pebble in the ocean".
However, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, speaking after a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, said this military action was not necessary at the present time.However, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, speaking after a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, said this military action was not necessary at the present time.
On Monday, RAF crews dropped supplies including 9,000 five-litre water bottles, 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.
On Monday, RAF crews dropped supplies including 9,000 five-litre water bottles, and 816 solar lamps that can also be used to charge mobile phones.
Supplies dropped overnight in Mount Sinjar, where most of those who have fled are trapped, included 2,640 reusable water purification containers filled with clean water and 528 shelter kits.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening also said 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.International Development Secretary Justine Greening also said 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.