This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iraq-crisis-british-forces-on-their-way--but-officials-rule-out-military-action-9667578.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iraq crisis: British forces on their way - but officials rule out military action Iraq crisis: British forces on their way - but officials rule out military action
(35 minutes later)
British military personnel “will play a role” in rescuing thousands of refugees trapped by Islamist fighters in Northern Iraq, David Cameron said, after cutting short his holiday to oversee the evacuation.British military personnel “will play a role” in rescuing thousands of refugees trapped by Islamist fighters in Northern Iraq, David Cameron said, after cutting short his holiday to oversee the evacuation.
Downing Street said the mission could begin “within days” and will represent the first time that British troops have been in active service in Iraq since withdrawing from Basra in 2009.Downing Street said the mission could begin “within days” and will represent the first time that British troops have been in active service in Iraq since withdrawing from Basra in 2009.
But officials stressed the decision did not represent “boots on the ground”, even though it is likely to involve special forces protection, because the operation was humanitarian rather than the military. The Prime Minister also dismissed demands for Parliament to be recalled, saying it was unnecessary at this stage but would be kept under review. Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Government’s emergency response committee this afternoon, Mr Cameron said: “We need a plan to get these people off that mountain and get them to a place of safety.”But officials stressed the decision did not represent “boots on the ground”, even though it is likely to involve special forces protection, because the operation was humanitarian rather than the military. The Prime Minister also dismissed demands for Parliament to be recalled, saying it was unnecessary at this stage but would be kept under review. Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Government’s emergency response committee this afternoon, Mr Cameron said: “We need a plan to get these people off that mountain and get them to a place of safety.”
“I can confirm that detailed plans are now being put in place and are under way and that Britain will play a role in delivering them.”“I can confirm that detailed plans are now being put in place and are under way and that Britain will play a role in delivering them.”
Mr Cameron declined to give any details of the mission – such as whether Chinook helicopters being sent to the region would play a role in any evacuation or what role special forces would play.Mr Cameron declined to give any details of the mission – such as whether Chinook helicopters being sent to the region would play a role in any evacuation or what role special forces would play.
Officials said the operation is likely to begin at the weekend and will take several days at least to complete. Some estimate that 35,000 Yazidi refugees are struggling to survive in the Sinjar Mountains.Officials said the operation is likely to begin at the weekend and will take several days at least to complete. Some estimate that 35,000 Yazidi refugees are struggling to survive in the Sinjar Mountains.
Asked about calls for the UK to follow France in arming Kurdish fighters, who are being outgunned by Islamic State forces, or to commit British fighter planes to air strikes, Mr Cameron said: “Of course we support the Kurds and we should continue to support the Kurds, and in terms of the ammunition they are getting Britain is playing a role in helping to get that to them.”Asked about calls for the UK to follow France in arming Kurdish fighters, who are being outgunned by Islamic State forces, or to commit British fighter planes to air strikes, Mr Cameron said: “Of course we support the Kurds and we should continue to support the Kurds, and in terms of the ammunition they are getting Britain is playing a role in helping to get that to them.”
Mr Cameron, who had not been scheduled to return to work in Downing Street until today, was expected to have telephone conversations with other leaders as detailed preparations are made.Mr Cameron, who had not been scheduled to return to work in Downing Street until today, was expected to have telephone conversations with other leaders as detailed preparations are made.
RAF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft have made several drops of supplies to civilians trapped on a mountainside in the autonomous Kurdish region in the north of the country by the Islamic State advance. Tornado fighters are due to carry out reconnaissance missions of the area and the Chinook helicopters are en route to Cyprus ready for possible deployment in Iraq.RAF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft have made several drops of supplies to civilians trapped on a mountainside in the autonomous Kurdish region in the north of the country by the Islamic State advance. Tornado fighters are due to carry out reconnaissance missions of the area and the Chinook helicopters are en route to Cyprus ready for possible deployment in Iraq.
In Washington, Pentagon officials have also being working on plans for the rescue operation. Another 130 military advisers have been sent to northern Iraq to develop options to present to President Obama. The team is made up of US Marines and members of American special operations forces. Supporters of Iraq’s embattled Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, demonstrate in Baghdad (EPA) In Washington, Pentagon officials have also being working on plans for the rescue operation. Another 130 military advisers have been sent to northern Iraq to develop options to present to President Obama. The team is made up of US Marines and members of American special operations forces.
“This is not a combat, boots-on-the-ground operation,” said US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. “But, short of that, there are some things that we can continue to do – and we are doing.”“This is not a combat, boots-on-the-ground operation,” said US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. “But, short of that, there are some things that we can continue to do – and we are doing.”
In recent days thousands of refugees have flooded out of the mountains and into neighbouring Syria. Many have taken shelter at a refugee camp, while others have crossed back into part of Iraq not threatened by the Islamic State.In recent days thousands of refugees have flooded out of the mountains and into neighbouring Syria. Many have taken shelter at a refugee camp, while others have crossed back into part of Iraq not threatened by the Islamic State.
European Union foreign ministers are to meet on Friday to discuss the crisis.European Union foreign ministers are to meet on Friday to discuss the crisis.
Labour welcomed the stepping up of aid efforts, including the deployment of Chinook helicopters, but did not join the calls for direct UK military intervention. The shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The Government should be working actively with our allies to now step up the humanitarian response to the unfolding tragedy on Mount Sinjar.” Iraqi policemen and civilians inspect the site of a car bomb attack near a restaurant in the southeastern district of New Baghdad (AP) Labour welcomed the stepping up of aid efforts, including the deployment of Chinook helicopters, but did not join the calls for direct UK military intervention. The shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The Government should be working actively with our allies to now step up the humanitarian response to the unfolding tragedy on Mount Sinjar.”
But while Mr Cameron also called Iraqi prime-minister designate, Dr Haider Ibadi, to express the UK’s support for his “efforts to establish an inclusive government as swiftly as possible”, the situation in Baghdad remained unclear.But while Mr Cameron also called Iraqi prime-minister designate, Dr Haider Ibadi, to express the UK’s support for his “efforts to establish an inclusive government as swiftly as possible”, the situation in Baghdad remained unclear.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, continued to insist that he will not relinquish power until a federal court rules on what he claims is a “constitutional violation” by the president to replace him with a member of his own party.Meanwhile, the outgoing Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, continued to insist that he will not relinquish power until a federal court rules on what he claims is a “constitutional violation” by the president to replace him with a member of his own party.
Iraqi troops imposed heightened security in Baghdad. Tanks and Humvees were positioned on Baghdad bridges and at major intersections, with security personnel more visible than usual as about 100 al-Maliki supporters rallied at Firdous Square. At least 29 people were killed in bombings around Baghdad today.Iraqi troops imposed heightened security in Baghdad. Tanks and Humvees were positioned on Baghdad bridges and at major intersections, with security personnel more visible than usual as about 100 al-Maliki supporters rallied at Firdous Square. At least 29 people were killed in bombings around Baghdad today.