Islamic State: RAF 'eliminates' insurgents fighting Iraqi forces near Mosul, MoD says
After the RAF's intervention, Iraqi forces were able to carry out an assault and overwhelm the few remaining terrorists.
Monday 17 May 2021 18:25, UK
Two RAF Typhoons have "eliminated" a group of Islamic State fighters who were themselves attacking Iraqi forces, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
Iraqi security forces had come under heavy small arms fire from the terrorists in a strong defensive position about 25 miles (40km) southwest of the city of Mosul on 11 May.
They requested air support from the international coalition forces.
A pair of RAF Typhoon FGR4s responded promptly and attacked the terrorists with two Paveway IV precision guided bombs, the MoD said.
The bombs hit the target and eliminated a number of IS fighters.
Following the airstrike, Iraqi forces were then able to carry out an assault and overwhelm the few remaining terrorists, the MoD added.
The airstrikes follow a 10-day operation in March in which missiles and bombs helped to clear an IS stronghold in the Makhmur mountain region, southwest of Erbil in northern Iraq.
At the weekend, the MoD revealed British troops battled a sandstorm to seize a cache of IS weapons.
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And earlier this month, it was announced the renowned "Dambusters" squadron was being deployed to support operations against IS in Iraq and Syria.
The RAF's 617 Squadron - famously known for its role in attacking German dams during the Second World War - was tasked with helping a mission designed to prevent IS from "regaining a foothold in Iraq".