Breaking news
More British troops to take part in Iraqi Security Forces training program.
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Defence & Security News - United Kingdom
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More British troops to take part in Iraqi Security Forces training program
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Britain is set to pledge several dozen more troops to support the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) as they take the fight to Daesh. The UK's Defence Secretary has authorised an offer of more than 30 extra troops to provide training in areas such as logistics and bridge building, as well as specialist medical staff. They are expected to be deployed to training locations at Besmayah and Taji.
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 UK personnel are providing counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) training to members of the Iraqi Security Forces in Iraq |
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The uplift will build on the training the UK already provides the Iraqi forces in infantry skills, counter-Improvised Explosives and weapons maintenance. These training programmes have saved lives and supported recent successful operations on the ground, such as the retaking of Ramadi. It will bring the total number of UK personnel involved in training inside Iraq to over 300, and the total engaged in theatre to over 1,000.
"We’ve seen solid progress against Daesh in Iraq in recent months. Now is the time to step up our training of Iraqi Forces, as they prepare for operations in key cities such as Fallujah and Mosul. Along with the trebling of UK air strikes, this underlines the crucial role our armed forces are playing in the fight against Daesh," the British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said. The British army has helped train more than 6,500 personnel in Iraq to date, while the RAF has flown around 2200 missions against Daesh in Iraq and Syria, carrying out more than 640 strikes. |
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