UK Launches First Air Strikes in Iraq in US-Led Campaign

Local Editor

British fighter jets launched air strikes for the first time in Iraq in the US-led air campaign on Tuesday.

The British defense ministry said two Tornado jets hit an artillery post and an armed truck used by the so-called "Daesh" [ISIL] militant group.

It did not say when or where the strikes were carried out but explained they had aided Kurdish troops in the area.

"I can confirm that the RAF were in action today in support of the Iraqi government in northwest Iraq," Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said.

Fallon said the strikes were carried out by two jets from an RAF base in Cyprus.

He has said that RAF planes could be engaged in bombing Daesh for years to come.

The British parliament recently last week approved a motion to join in a US-led military campaign in Iraq.

The strikes signal the start of Britain's latest military engagement in Iraq after it pulled out all its troops in 2011 following an eight-year conflict.

The government has said it will not send combat troops on the ground or join air strikes in Syria without further parliamentary approval.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team