Op SHADER
One Year On
One year ago Parliament endorsed the use of military force to assist the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIL terrorists. The UK is part of a much wider effort by a 62 nation global coalition to drive back Daesh (as they are known in the region) and their false ideology.
Our part in this is called Operation SHADER.
There are two parts to our military effort -
1. Help train and equip Iraqi security forces to defeat Daesh
2. Providing air support to find and destroy the terrorists.
The operation isn't just a combat mission, we've also delivered much needed humanitarian assistance.
One year ago aid was flown from Cyprus to minority communities fleeing ISIL terrorists. These air drops helped sustain Yazidi refugees on Mount Sinjar until Kurdish forces freed them.
Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s and Reapers have flown over 1300 combat missions against ISIL.
These missions use precision guided weapons to destroy fortified positions, vehicles and weapon stores.
The firepower of coalition strike aircraft is only one part of the help given to Iraqi security forces. Royal Air Force aircraft gather accurate intelligence on where the terrorists are operating. The Tornado and Reaper aircraft carry state of the art sensors that provide surveillance as Iraqi patrols move forward. Car bombs positioned to block their advance can be identified from the air and destroyed with precision weapons.
ISIL have lost 25% of their territory since operations began
There are 275 members of the UK Armed Forces in Iraq training their security forces in counter-IED techniques.
We also train Iraqi, Kurdish and moderate opposition forces in Syria to take the fight to ISIL on the ground.
The UK has supplied over
500,000 ammo rounds to anti-ISIL forces
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon on Op SHADER:
"The fight against ISIL is our top operational priority and Britain is playing a vital role. Our armed forces have conducted more than 300 strikes, flown almost a third of all coalition surveillance flights and trained over 2,000 local troops.
“In 2014 ISIL enjoyed near total freedom of movement across much of Iraq but we've helped stop the jihadist advance, reclaiming a quarter of ISIL-held territory.
“Now we must build on this progress. We will not let up until we have defeated this barbaric terrorist organisation."
The campaign isn't over yet. We will contribute around 85 military personnel to US-led training of the moderate Syrian opposition to ISIL.
This training will take place in Turkey and other countries in the region. Skilled Royal Air Force personnel will continue to monitor and attack the terrorists from the air using advanced equipment.
ISIL continue to carry out barbaric atrocities and try to spread their perverted belief system. Both the Iraqi government and people need and deserve our support in fighting these terrorists.
