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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 carried out their first strikes on Islamic State targets in Iraq, attacking a "heavy weapon position" and an armed pick-up truck. | 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. |
The Ministry of Defence said the attacks were in support of Kurdish units in the north-west of the country. | The Ministry of Defence said the attacks were in support of Kurdish units in the north-west of the country. |
The strikes - by two GR4 Tornados - came four days after Parliament approved military action, and were said to be "successful". | The strikes - by two GR4 Tornados - came four days after Parliament approved military action, and were said to be "successful". |
About 40 nations are targeting IS, which controls parts of Iraq and Syria. | About 40 nations are targeting IS, which controls parts of Iraq and Syria. |
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. | 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. | 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". |