Tri-Service
UK To Resume Training Syrian Opposition To Fight IS
UK personnel will train moderate Syrian opposition fighters in infantry, medical and explosive hazard awareness skills as part of the counter-Daesh campaign.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon underlined Britain's commitment to the campaign against Daesh in making the announcement.
Sir Michael said that up to 20 UK personnel would deploy to locations in the region to provide vetted members of the moderate Syrian opposition with the skills they need.
It comes as the campaign against Daesh terrorists reaches a crucial stage, following the advance on Mosul in Iraq.
The MoD says British troops will help improve the capabilities of vetted members of the moderate Syrian opposition, with training focussing on basic infantry tactics, command and control, explosive hazard awareness training (EHAT) and medical training.
The announcement follows a US request to the UK to provide support for their Train and Equip Programme, which restarted in July.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Counter Daesh ministerial meeting in Paris, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
"Daesh are on the back foot. The RAF is already playing a leading role in the air, hitting them hard in Iraq and Syria. Now we're stepping up our support to moderate opposition forces in Syria, through training them in the skills they need to defeat Daesh."
As Iraqi and Kurdish forces close in on Mosul, the MoD hopes UK-supported training will help cement recent progress in north-west Syria, underlining the pressure Daesh is now under on all fronts.
It says all volunteers from the moderate opposition will be subject to strict vetting procedures and will receive training in International Humanitarian Law.
It comes as Iraqi forces, backed by US-led coalition air strikes, battle so-called Islamic State militants for a third day in a remote western town, hundreds of miles to the south of the operation to retake Mosul, US and Iraqi officials said.
The clashes underway in Rutba, in Iraq's western Anbar province, are apparently part of the extremist group's tactics to divert attention - as well as Iraqi and coalition resources - from the battle to retake Mosul.
Cover image: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon with US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
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