Today’s defence news includes further coverage of women in combat roles, as well as reports on Helmand province and Syria.
WOMEN IN COMBAT
There is widespread coverage following the Prime Minister’s comments on opening up ground combat roles to women next year. Many of the articles, including The Telegraph, focus on the reaction of former First Sea Lord Lord West.
Our position on the ongoing review is as follows:
Following the 2014 review, Defence welcomed the prospect of opening further military roles to women, subject to the outcome of further physiological research.
The physiological research programme is investigating how training regimes can be constructed to allow women to integrate safely, whilst protecting combat effectiveness. It will also deliver improved methods for conducting physical training that will have health benefits for the serving population of men and women.
The research programme is expected to deliver an initial report in 2016 which will inform a decision on whether the exclusion can be safely lifted.
HELMAND PROVINCE
The Daily Mail, Times and Independent report that Mohammad Jan Rasulyar, deputy Governor of Helmand, has taken to Facebook to plead for help from the country’s president to province from falling to the Taliban.
A UK Government spokesperson said:
The UK has made an enduring commitment to Afghanistan, and continues to support the Afghan Security Forces in reducing the threat from terrorism and helping to build a better future. The Afghan Security Forces have demonstrated their capability in defending the country’s security and the significant progress made since 2001. Though this has come at a high price, the UK can be proud of what it has achieved in Afghanistan.
SYRIA
Sky News carries a package from a press facility at the Russian logistical base in Syria of Latakia, where the Russians have shown reporters investments in air and maritime capabilities.
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
The Daily Mail reports that servicemen cleared of any wrongdoing in Iraq are being forced to relive the horrors of combat years later as a result of a surge in legal claims. The article states that the International Criminal Court has been passed information regarding operations in Iraq but has not ruled out a potential future investigation.
Our position is below:
The MOD is confident that UK veterans will not be brought before the International Criminal Court because that could only happen if the UK’s own processes for investigating allegations were inadequate. They are not. Our processes, including a properly-funded investigations team and public inquiries, show clearly our commitment to the principle of thorough scrutiny. The ICC feels duty-bound to satisfy itself that all necessary investigations are being taken forward by the UK, and is currently doing so with full co-operation from us.
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