UK to deploy Reaper drones in Iraq as battle against IS intensifies

Britain is to use Reaper drones over Iraq as part of the battle against Islamic State militants (IS). The deployment, revealed by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in a written ministerial statement, is to happen within weeks. It will be the first time British armed drones have been flown outside Afghanistan. The drones will be based somewhere in the Middle East outside of Iraq.

As Reaper numbers in Afghanistan reduce, we intend to move more of them to the Middle East, adding to our coverage.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon

The drone announcement came as a senior Syrian Kurdish official appealed to the international community to allow weapons into the border town of Kobane, which remains under threat from IS. IS is able to bring in reinforcements and weapons at any time, risking the town on the border with Turkey, said Kobane spokesman Idriss Nassan. Airstrikes by the US-led coalition were “effective” but not enough to defeat the jihadis, he stressed.

Kobane is not fighting for itself alone. Kobane is fighting for the world community. This is a battle against terrorism and therefore all world countries are asked to participate in this resistance.

Idriss Nassan, Kobane spokesman

World reaper drones