RAF bombers attack two Islamic State targets in Iraq, MoD says

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/01/raf-bombers-two-islamic-state-targets-iraq-mod

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Two RAF Tornado bombers based in Cyprus attacked two Islamic targets overnight, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The aircraft were on an armed reconnaissance mission in support of Iraqi government forces west of Baghdad when the crew was asked to examine a location suspected of being used as an Isis command and control position.

At the scene they were able to identify Isis activity and two vehicles, one of which was an armed pickup truck. Four Brimstone missiles were used to conduct an attack on the vehicles. Initial analysis indicates that the strikes were successful, the MoD said.

It is the second set of air strikes by RAF jets, following an attack on Isis positions in north-west Iraq on Tuesday.

The overnight attacks show that the Tornado crews, with modern radar, infrared sights, and with small but accurate missiles, are able to identify and quickly strike what the RAF calls “targets of opportunity”.

But military planners admit that the flying missions will not be the most efficient, quick, or certain, way to defeat the Isis fighters on the ground.