Items of Defence interest included in broadcast bulletins this morning include reports of the launch by the Iraqi government to “take back” Ramadi and surrounding western Anbar province from ISIL.
ISIL
The Daily Telegraph and The Sun both report on a phone call between Prime Minister David Cameron and Vladimir Putin during which it is reported that they agreed to re-open talks over how to end the Syrian civil war and stop the rise of ISIL.
Articles in the Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and The Times also suggest that America’s will to fight ISIL in Iraq was called into question, after an Iranian general reacted angrily to remarks made by US Defence Secretary Ash Carter which suggested that Baghdad's troops had been beaten by a far smaller force because they lacked motivation.
We have previously blogged the UK Government’s position on operations against ISIL here.
The Independent and Daily Mail follow up on the story which featured on the front page of yesterday’s The Times, reporting that Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a leading chemical warfare expert, has warned of the “growing threat” of a chemical weapons attack by British jihadists returning from Iraq and Syria. Read yesterday’s blog here.
Palmyra
The Daily Telegraph today reports that Syrian forces have launched at least 15 air strikes around Palmyra. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says that at least four civilians were killed in the bombing raids and dozens of people were reportedly wounded and ISIL is believed to have suffered losses.
Defence Spending
The Daily Telegraph writes that three Conservative MPs, all in the running to chair the defence select committee, have called for the Prime Minister to commit to defence spending or risk reputational damage. The article reports that senior Conservative MPs have said the Prime Minister must put his "money where his mouth is", warning that Britain's international reputation will be diminished if David Cameron fails to make the commitment. Our position on Defence spending can be found on yesterday’s blog.
Between taking on supplies and hosting local dignitaries, a number of the ships company volunteered to help out at the Kids Care Orphanage.
The visit was led by Sub Lieutenant Jo Peacock, who said: Weve provided basic medical care, and helped to repair orphanage equipment, including their water pump and bicycles.
With medical and engineering expertise onboard, it was rewarding to use these skills to help the children.
HMS Richmonds medical officer Surgeon Lieutenant Robert Woodward, who ran a clinic at the orphanage, added: The most important part of the medical care we provided was education to staff and children about malaria and other diseases.
Its this knowledge which will continue to make a difference after we have left.
Meanwhile, the ships Leading Physical Trainer (LPT) Ollie Osborne, helped clear the local football pitch, and donated some sports equipment including footballs and England shirts, for use by the orphanage.
LPT Osborne said: It was genuinely moving seeing what opportunities were being provided to the children by the orphanage.
I hope that the pitch we helped clear, and the footballs provided will encourage the kids to make team sport and the physical discipline that it brings an enjoyable part of their childhood.
HMS Richmond is deployed to the Indian Ocean as part of Combined Maritime Forces Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150), their mission is to promote maritime security in order to counter terrorist acts and related illegal activities.
Pictured: Lt Paul Holland donates his cap to a youngster
Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.