British fighter jets fly over Iraq, ready to strike – ministry
WASHINTON – INTERNATIONAL NEWS – Attacks against ISIL Islamic State strongholds in Iraq and Syria are continuing. American jet fighters are now being joined by British fighters.
United States Central Command report, that “U.S. and partner nation military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria Friday and today, using fighter and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct seven airstrikes. Separately, U.S. military forces used attack aircraft to conduct three airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq”.
Two British jets were flying over Iraq and were ready to hit targets on Saturday, their first mission since parliament on Friday authorized strikes against Islamic State militants, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said.
A Reuters witness at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus saw two Tornado jets leaving the facility at 0725 GMT, followed minutes later by a refueling aircraft.
“We can confirm that following Parliamentary approval given yesterday, Royal Air Force Tornados continue to fly over Iraq and are now ready to be used in an attack role as and when appropriate targets are identified,” said a Ministry of Defense spokesman. “We will provide an update on activity when it is appropriate to do so.”
Six Tornado jets, normally based at RAF Marham in Britain, have been based on the east Mediterranean island since August. They have been engaged in intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance over Iraq.
In Syria, an ISIL vehicle was destroyed south of Al-Hasakah. Also near Al-Hasakah several buildings that were part of an ISIL garrison were destroyed. An ISIL command and control facility near Manbij was damaged. An ISIL building and two armed vehicles at the Kobani border crossing were destroyed. An ISIL held airfield, an ISIL garrison and an ISIL training camp near Ar Raqqah were damaged.
To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy attack and fighter aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. In addition, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates also participated in these strikes. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely.
In Iraq, three airstrikes southwest of Irbil destroyed four ISIL armed vehicles and destroyed an ISIL fighting position. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely.
The strikes were conducted as part of the President’s comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.VIDEO by Reuters
