A variety of Defence stories are covered in the media today, including Armed Forces recruitment, the start of Iraqi military operations to re-take Fallujah from Daesh, and the House of Common’s Defence Committee’s report into Lariam.
ARMED FORCES
The Daily Telegraph, Daily Star and Daily Mirror report an open letter sent to Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt by Child Soldiers International, calling for an end to the recruitment of under 18s. However Col Richard Kemp says young recruits are "absolutely not being exploited" and that the armed forces provide a “great social service” for teenagers with limited alternative prospects.
The Services are amongst the largest training providers in the UK, with excellent completion and achievement rates, and the quality of our training and education is highly respected. With support for education ranging from entry level literacy and numeracy to full postgraduate degrees, Service personnel are offered genuine progression routes which allow them to develop, gain qualifications and play a fuller part in society either in the Armed Forces or in the civilian world which waits them beyond. Our full statement can be read below:
An MOD spokesperson said:
As part of our duty of care to our recruits no young person under the age of 18 years may join our Armed Forces without the formal written consent of their parent or guardian, nor do they deploy on operations until they reach 18 years of age. We take pride in the fact our Armed Forces provide challenging and constructive education, training, and employment opportunities for young people, equipping them with valuable skills.
FALLUJAH
The Today programme and Sky News this morning report that Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced the start of a military operation to retake Fallujah from Daesh. Iraq's military has already warned civilians to leave the town, it is claimed. Fallujah was the first city to fall to Daesh in 2014 and is one of only two of its remaining strongholds in Iraq. Mr al-Abadi is reported to have said the offensive would be conducted by the army, police, counter-terrorism forces, local tribal fighters and coalition of mostly Shia Muslim militias. It is also suspected that there will be air support from a US-led coalition.
You can read more about what the UK is doing to support the fight against Daesh here.
YEMEN
The Independent covers an Amnesty International report that claims a cluster bomb manufactured in Britain in the 1970s has been found in a Yemeni village, after allegedly being deployed by Saudi forces. Amnesty claims the UK Government should do more to track munitions sold in the past and also questions the role of British armed forces personnel in the Saudi campaign. The Government’s response is below:
A Government spokesman said:
The UK Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application. The Government is satisfied that extant licences for Saudi Arabia are compliant with this export licensing criteria.
The UK is not a member of the Saudi-led Coalition. British personnel are not involved in carrying out strikes, directing or conducting operations in Yemen or selecting targets and are not involved in the Saudi targeting decision-making process.
LARIAM
The Independent looks forward to tomorrow’s publication of the HCDC’s report on the military’s use of Lariam, and predicts it will recommend it is banned in most circumstances.
An MOD spokesperson said:
All anti-malarial treatments have associated side effects but we must protect our personnel from this potentially fatal disease. We need to be able to use the most appropriate drug to ensure resistance and base our advice on Public Health England guidelines. While Mefloquine is used throughout the world, it’s not prescribed widely in the UK military, and only after an individual risk assessment.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Sixty soldiers and horses of the Household Cavalry joined Chelsea Pensioners for breakfast after the Regiments busiest week of the year.
The scarlet coats of the Pensioners met with the shining black coats of over 60 cavalry steeds at Royal Hospital Chelsea this morning, as the veterans offered bacon sandwiches, tea, coffee and Bucks Fizz to the soldiers of the Queens mounted bodyguard.
After a two week period containing three 2am rehearsals, four royal escorts, eight musical ride performances in Windsor, one midnight horse move and the State Opening of Parliament, the men and horses of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment have rarely been so exhausted.
Major Alex Owen (30), the Blues and Royals Squadron Leader said: In the month of Her Majestys 90th Birthday celebrations and the State Opening of Parliament what better way for us to celebrate a job well done than with the men and women who have dedicated their entire lives in the service of the Crown.
Photographer: Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC (Phot)
Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.