In today's items of interest for defence there are reports on key Daesh targets being hit by US forces and articles on the female Peshmerga fighters being trained by UK forces in Northern Iraq.
Daesh
Many of the papers report that Daesh’s second in command has been killed in a US raid, following an announcement by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter yesterday. At same briefing, reports say, General Joseph Dunford said the US is moving to increase the number of American forces in Iraqi. The articles state that recommendations on ways to increase US support for Iraq's ground fight against Daesh are due to be discussed with President Obama (Guardian, Telegraph, Daily Mail).
Peshmerga
The Daily Mail online carries a feature today about the female Peshmerga fighters who have been trained by UK personnel in Northern Iraq. The piece reports that the female soldiers are feared by Daesh because they think that if they are killed by one of them they will not go to heaven.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
The Iraqis are rightly leading the fight for the security of their own country. These brave female Peshmerga fighters will help ensure that Daesh are kicked out of Iraq for good and we must keep supporting them.
Read our feature on the UK training here.
Libya
Several papers claim that a leaked document reports that SAS forces have been on ground in Libya for months (Telegraph, Independent, Times and Mirror Online). It is our long-standing policy that we don't comment on Special Forces operations.
Bahrain
The Independent carries a report claiming that British Royal Marine Commandos have trained Bahrain's armed forces in the use of sniper rifles.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The UK enjoys close links with Bahrain, spanning 200 years, which reinforces our commitment to the Gulf region. We don't shy away from raising issues of concern, including human rights, at all levels within the Government of Bahrain during our defence discussions.
