Today’s defence news covers efforts to counter Daesh, co-operation with Poland and more on the Iraq Historical Allegations Team (IHAT).
DAESH
Broadcasters including BBC News, Sky News, Good Morning Britain and Radio 4’s Today Programme have this morning reported that coalition defence ministers, including Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, are meeting in Paris today to discuss stepping up the military campaign against Daesh. It was reported that Mr Fallon will ask the coalition to ramp up the pressure on Daesh by striking harder in Syria.
Newspapers also cover the news, including the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph and The Times, and report that Mr Fallon will call for a shift in coalition strategy against Daesh, with a new focus on 'tightening the noose' around its stronghold in Raqqa. The articles say the coalition is expected to back a new focus on bombing Daesh oilfields, supply lines and command centres, and that the new strategy will focus on more elusive Daesh targets.
Coverage says that the meeting in Paris is intended to give the campaign 'more overall political direction' and 'to reshape the strategic direction of the campaign', and references the Defence Secretary’s comment that the time is right to bring more pressure to bear on 'the head of the snake'.
Mr Fallon’s statement is below.
We have made strong progress in recent weeks. Now the campaign is moving into a new phase where we aim to systematically dismantle Daesh’s structure and capabilities.
That means striking harder at the head of the snake, with an increased focus on infrastructure, lines of communication and supply routes.
Elsewhere, The Times and Guardian cover yesterday’s news that Daesh have confirmed Jihadi John was killed in a strike in November.
The Guardian follows up on reporting of yesterday’s UN report into Daesh atrocities, and says the extremist group is holding 3,500 slaves in Iraq. The paper says this is primarily women and children from the Yazidi community, according to the UN report, which details 'staggering' levels of violence in the country. Coverage adds that research says the terror group has committed atrocities in Iraq that may amount to crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.
POLAND
Articles in the Daily Mail and Times report the Defence Secretary will today announce a UK commitment to send 1000 troops to Poland for NATO exercises this year when he meets with his Polish counterpart in Edinburgh. The Mail claims the announcement is a show of solidarity against Russian aggression.
A comment from Mr Fallon is below.
The long history between our countries is deeply rooted. This troop commitment demonstrates the UK’s vital work with NATO allies, including Poland, to ensure our collective forces are primed and ready, and sends a clear message to our allies that we are ready to respond to any threat.
LIBYA
An article in the Financial Times says former Defence Secretary Liam Fox has admitted extremists joined the UK in the fight against Muammer Gaddafi. The article claims the UK was aware there were probably 'extremist elements' within the Libyan rebel forces it helped to fight the dictator in 2011. The coverage follows questions asked in the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.
IHAT
There is further coverage of the Iraq Historical Allegations Team. The Daily Mail claims detectives threatened to arrest a soldier when questioning him at his doorstep.
Meanwhile The Sun follows up on its front page from yesterday, saying there is support for the British sniper being investigated. The MOD is aware that following an assessment of the details provided in recent articles, the IHAT does not believe this is one of their cases. In assessing all of the allegations they receive, the IHAT always takes account of the challenging circumstances faced by Armed Forces personnel including the need for them to be able to act in self-defence.
Further information on the IHAT can be found in our Q&A blog
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