Today’s defence news includes gains made by Iraqi forces against Daesh, the flooding response and developments in Afghanistan.
RAMADI
The Times, Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Independent all report that Daesh suffered its worst defeat as Iraqi forces took Ramadi with the support of coalition air strikes. The articles state that after six days of fighting, government forces have announced an end to resistance at the sprawling government building which was the jihadis’ last major stronghold in the area.
The Sun carries a short article stating that SAS troops and Western bombing raids have aided the recapture of the key Iraqi city. An Iraqi general has said that the Daesh fanatics used suicide bombs and booby traps in a fierce fight and that the next step is to clear pockets of resistance that could still exist.
The latest RAF air strikes update was published today and can be found here.
AFGHANISTAN
The Daily Star, Daily Telegraph and Sun follow up on the Mail on Sunday’s report that the SAS have “wiped out” 20 Taliban in a secret battle in Sangin, Helmand Province. A senior NATO source is quoted saying that the Afghans are doing the fighting and US General Wilson Shoffner is quoted saying that the British contribution is part of a larger NATO expeditionary advisory effort and that it is not a combat mission.
The Ministry of Defence has a policy of neither confirming nor denying the activity of special forces.
32 ROYAL SQUADRON
The Mirror reports that taxpayers have spent £87million on jets for the Prime Minister, senior Royals and military officers since 2010. The article follows a response to a parliamentary question that was given on 3 December showing the running costs for the fleet since 2010. Part of a MOD statement was carried in the article; a full version is below.
“The UK's Armed Forces are deployed in locations around the world and this fleet of aircraft means we can move small groups of high priority personnel or cargo where they are needed.
"While the cost of the fleet has remained broadly the same, there has been a small rise due to a renewal of aircraft and vital support work."
FLOODING
The widespread coverage on the ongoing flooding crisis in the north of England includes reporting that the Army have been deployed to assist, with an additional 200 troops joining the 300 already at work and another 1,000 on standby should the situation worsen.
The flooding remains the top story for all broadcasters today. Sky News and BBC News have both reported that a RAF Chinook from 27 Squadron, based at RAF Odiham, has been assisting the relief efforts by dropping equipment to personnel on the Foss barrier.
HUMAN RIGHTS
The Daily Express follows up on the Sunday Telegraph interview with the Defence Secretary with a brief story repeating some of his comments. The article leads with the point that there is a fear that being dragged through the courts by “ambulance chasing” human rights lawyers is undermining troops in their battle against terror.
A MOD statement on this issue is below.
“We are looking closely at this issue and, as the Government’s manifesto made clear, will ensure our Armed Forces overseas are not subject to persistent legal claims that undermine their ability to do their job.
“The MOD faces nearly 1,500 judicial reviews relating to operations overseas and the merits of many of these are dubious. In some cases, there is no evidence that UK Forces were anywhere near the incident complained of, while in others, it is obvious that the alleged victim posed a threat to UK personnel who acted accordingly.
“It cannot be right, for example, that a dangerous insurgent like Serdar Mohammed can’t be detained for more than a few hours: we intend to resist that notion strongly when the case is heard in the Supreme Court.”
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