British jets complete first combat mission over Iraq

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/27/british-jets-combat-mission-iraq-isis

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The first British jets authorised for air strikes in Iraq against Islamic State (Isis) militants have returned to base in Cyprus.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that “no targets were identified as requiring immediate air attack” by the two Tornado GR4 fighter bombers that returned to RAF Akrotiri seven hours after taking off, supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

The MoD added: “We know that the very presence of coalition airpower over Iraq has a significant impact on [Islamic State’s] efforts to attack the Iraqi people.”

Ministers had cautioned not to expect a campaign of “shock and awe” and that after weeks of US air strikes in the area it could take time to identify new targets.

David Cameron said British aircraft were there to “play our part and help deal with this appalling terrorist organisation” in the international coalition being amassed by the US against Isis.

Six Tornado jets have been based in Cyprus since last month but had been restricted to reconnaissance flights until Saturday.

The RAF also has a Rivet Joint spy plane in the region which is stepping up surveillance efforts to identify potential targets, while intelligence will also be sought from Iraqi and Kurdish forces on the ground.

The US has been carrying out air strikes in northern Iraq since mid-August - supported by the French since last week - and most of the obvious targets have already been hit.

Fighter jets and drones from the US, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE were used to conduct seven airstrikes against Isis in Syria and Iraq today, the US military said.

Barack Obama said on Saturday that US leadership was “the one constant in an uncertain world”. The president said: “America is leading the world in the fight to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group” known as Isis.

The RAF mission comes after the Commons voted on Friday by 524–43 to endorse attacks on the militants in Iraq.

However, there was criticism from both Conservative and Labour MPs that UK air strikes were being restricted to Iraq and that Isis targets in Syria, where the movement began – were excluded.

Cameron said the motion had been limited to Iraq to win cross-party support and avoid a repeat of last year’s damaging Commons defeat when Labour combined with Tory and Liberal Democrat rebels to block air strikes against Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad.

Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, indicated that the government may need to hold a further vote to seek support for extending military action into Syria.