More than 250 British troops to be sent back to Iraq to help fight against ISIS jihadis
The deployment, set to begin in August, will almost double UK forces in the country
MORE than 250 extra British troops will be sent to Iraq to counter the spread of ISIS, it was announced yesterday.
The deployment, set to begin in August, will almost double UK forces in the country.
Most will go to Al Asad airbase, 100 miles west of Baghdad.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “Iraqi forces have Daesh on the back foot and are retaking territory, hitting its finances and striking its leadership. This deployment will help push them back further.”
The troops include 50 trainers in bomb detection and disposal, infantry techniques and combat first aid.
Another 90 soldiers will be sent to protect the base while 80 Army engineers will be deployed for six months to boost the base's infrastructure.
About 300 British personnel are already in the country helping to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting terror group IS right now.
US-led air strikes killed 250 militants at Fallujah on Wednesday, it was revealed yesterday.
Iraqi forces say they have retaken the city from IS after two years.