This morning’s headlines are dominated by the Queen’s speech which is due to take place later today. There is also breaking news that FIFA officials have been arrested on corruption allegations.
RAF air strikes
The Sun reports that RAF aircraft have hit ISIL targets in Iraq after seeking out “militant hideouts”. The Daily Mail also writes that video footage released by the MOD shows RAF Tornados and Reaper dropping missiles on underground bunkers and heavy weapons stores belonging to the terrorist organisation.
We regularly update the air strike page with the latest operational activity, including video. Alongside the coalition air strike activity, good progress is being made by a British team of military instructors in leading a training programme to help the Iraqi and Kurdish troops with techniques to meet the threat from improvised explosive devices (IED). These are heavily being relied upon by ISIL, left as booby-traps to delay Iraqi advances and make it difficult for civilians to resume their normal lives. The Iraqi forces have already dealt with hundreds of such devices, but spreading the necessary expertise across their many units is a high priority to help save lives.
Other RAF aircraft contributing to the coalition air campaign include Sentry command and control platforms, Sentinel surveillance aircraft, and Voyager refuelling tankers. Hercules transport aircraft provide logistic support to the British liaison officers working with the Iraqi and coalition headquarters, as well as the military training teams which continue to assist the Iraqi forces build up their capabilities in order to fight the terrorists effectively.
US-China relations
A war between the US and China is “inevitable”, writes the Daily Telegraph , The Guardian and The Times this morning, reporting that Beijing’s armed forces have been given the authority to assert themselves beyond the country’s borders.
The articles state that the posture risks escalating the tension over disputed islands in the South China Sea and elsewhere in the Pacific. The Independent reports that the release of the document detailing this comes shortly after Beijing lodged a complaint against the US for flying a surveillance jet over disputed territory in the South China Sea, where China is building artificial islands. The Financial Times meanwhile writes that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has accused the USof stoking tensions in the South China Sea.
Ramadi
The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent and The Times report that Iraqi ground forces have opened an offensive to drive ISIL from Ramadi, sending in troops to cut off supply lines to jihadists controlling the provincial capital. It is reported that the advance into the Sunni heartlandprovince of Anbar is this time led by the Hashid Shaabi, an alliance of predominantly Shia paramilitaries, who have proven to be an effective fighting force.
Syria
The Times writes that Syrian rebels have broadcast footage of government soldiers hailed as heroes by Assad, as they flee a besieged hospital that he vowed to relieve. Rebels claim at least 208 had died when it was overrun, and the video shows hundreds others running away across nearby fields.
Image of the day
Today we feature a video as image of the day, showing one of the latest air strikes in Iraq against ISIL militants.
RAF Tornados attack an ISIL weapons store in a tunnel and in the course of this strike, a camouflaged position nearby was spotted by the aircrew, confirmed as hostile, and was also bombed.
Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.