British Deployment In Iraq Set To Increase

British troop numbers in Iraq are to be increased.

The move, announced by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, will see troops from 5 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 22 Engineer Regiment, who are based in Tidworth, deployed for six months.

The deployment will bring troop numbers in Iraq from around 300 to 600.

Forty-four Royal Engineers will be spending their deployment building infrastructure at the coalition camp in Iraq.

The airbase, positioned 140 miles west of Baghdad, houses troops from Iraq, the US, Denmark and the UK.

UK troops are currently stationed there to train Iraqi forces as they make their final push towards eliminated the so-called Islamic State’s presence from Iraq.

IS has conceded much of its territory in recent months; just yesterday Iraqi forces declared victory in the city of Tel Afar.

The victory followed the landmark liberation of Mosul earlier in the year; the city was formerly an Islamic State Stronghold.

The extremists now control just 10% of the country.

The defence secretary said of the increased deployment:

"We are stepping up our contribution to the fight against Daesh (IS) and fulfilling Britain's role as a key player in the global coalition. Daesh is being defeated.”

"Iraqi forces, backed by coalition air strikes, have now liberated 70% of the territory Daesh held and the victims of its barbarism are being helped by our humanitarian support.”

"These extra troops will help support operations to bring the defeat of Daesh a step closer."