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RAF jets strike first IS targets in Iraq RAF jets strike first IS targets in Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
RAF jets have attacked a "heavy weapon position" and an armed pick-up truck in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has said. RAF jets have carried out their first strikes on Islamic State targets in Iraq, attacking a "heavy weapon position" and an armed pick-up truck.
In the first attacks since Parliament approved military action on Friday, two "precision strikes" were launched and both were "successful", the MoD said. The Ministry of Defence said the attacks were in support of Kurdish units in the north-west of the country.
The attacks, by two Tornado jets, were part of an international effort against militant group Islamic State (IS). The strikes - by two GR4 Tornados - came four days after Parliament approved military action, and were said to be "successful".
A US-led coalition of about 40 nations is trying to destroy IS, which controls large parts of Iraq and Syria. About 40 nations are targeting IS, which controls parts of Iraq and Syria.
Kurdish sources said the RAF strikes had helped them retake an "important border crossing" at Rabia near the border with Syria, the BBC's Clive Myrie tweeted. Information from Kurdish sources suggests the RAF strikes had helped the Kurds retake an "important border crossing" at Rabia near Syria, said the BBC's Clive Myrie in Irbil, northern Iraq.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said both Tornados had "returned safely to their base", RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said both Tornados had "returned safely to their base", RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
He said they were in action in support of the Iraqi government.
The MoD said the aircraft were on an "armed reconnaissance mission" when they were asked to help Kurdish troops in north-west Iraq.The MoD said the aircraft were on an "armed reconnaissance mission" when they were asked to help Kurdish troops in north-west Iraq.
It said the Kurds were under attack from IS - also known as Isil and Isis.It said the Kurds were under attack from IS - also known as Isil and Isis.
"On arriving overhead, the RAF patrol, using their Litening III targeting pod, identified an Isil heavy weapon position which was engaging Kurdish ground forces," an MoD statement said."On arriving overhead, the RAF patrol, using their Litening III targeting pod, identified an Isil heavy weapon position which was engaging Kurdish ground forces," an MoD statement said.
"One Paveway IV guided bomb was used to attack the Isil position."One Paveway IV guided bomb was used to attack the Isil position.
"Following this engagement, the patrol identified an Isil armed pick-up truck in the same area and conducted an attack on the vehicle using a Brimstone missile."Following this engagement, the patrol identified an Isil armed pick-up truck in the same area and conducted an attack on the vehicle using a Brimstone missile.
"An initial assessment indicates that both precision strikes were successful.""An initial assessment indicates that both precision strikes were successful."
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain would not be "panicked" into dropping bombs in Iraq by reports that militants were advancing.Earlier, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain would not be "panicked" into dropping bombs in Iraq by reports that militants were advancing.
He said the RAF would carefully target IS, as hitting civilians would have the "opposite of the effect we are intending".He said the RAF would carefully target IS, as hitting civilians would have the "opposite of the effect we are intending".
Are you in Iraq? Do you have friends or family in the country? What are your experiences? You can email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Iraq? Do you have friends or family in the country? What are your experiences? You can email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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