United Kingdom supplied anti-ISIL coalition with 300 tons of weapons and ammunition

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Defence & Security News - United Kingdom
 
United Kingdom supplied anti-ISIL coalition with 300 tons of weapons and ammunition
Britain has delivered 300 tons of weapons and ammunition to the international coalition fighting the Islamic State (ISIL) terrorist group, Bahraini newspaper Al-Wasat reported Tuesday. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment are currently involved in training the Peshmerga fighters.
     
United Kingdom supplied anti ISIL coalition with 300 tons of weapons and ammunition 640 001British military adviser training Peshmerga fighters near Arbil
     
"The United Kingdom has provided Iraqi forces with military equipment, including 40 machine guns, about half a million cartridges, 50,000 body armors, and sent 300 tons of weapons and ammunition to other international coalition member-states," Frank Baker, British Ambassador to Iraq, said as quoted by Al-Wasat.


According to the diplomat, the British military currently assist in the training of Iraqi security forces and have already taught a course on the use of machine guns.

Baker added that the army is also involved in training the Iraqi Kurdish militia, known as the Peshmerga. The fighters are learning how to operate infantry fighting vehicles and the provision of first aid treatment.

The US-led international coalition against ISIL has been conducting airstrikes in Iraq and Syria since September 2014, assisting the Iraqi Army and Kurdish militia's fight on the ground. The group still controls parts of land in Iraq and Syria, including major cities.