UK Launches Air Strikes Against IS In Iraq

The Royal Air Force has carried out air strikes against so-called Islamic State (IS) in northern Iraq.

Two Typhoons, operating out of RAF Akrotiri and supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker, joined other coalition aircraft to attack a series of caves in Bayji, last Tuesday.

The Typhoons targeted six cave entrances, after it was confirmed a group of Daesh fighters were based there.

Paveway IV precision-guided bombs were used to strike all of the caves.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) says the area was given a "thorough check of the surrounding area" for civilians, prior to the attack.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "The strikes continue because the Daesh threat is relentless and so will we be."

Last month, RAF aircraft carried out their first air strikes against Daesh since September 2019.