Of note for Defence news today includes reporting around the situation in Libya, and the role of Daesh in the conflict.
Libya
The Sunday Times reports that as many as 20 British jihadists are fighting in Libya with Islamist groups, including Daesh. According to intelligence sources quoted in the paper, some of the British fighters have fled Syria as a result of the coalition’s bombing campaign, while others have travelled directly to Libya from the UK . The paper goes on to speculate that British Special Forces are likely to be using US ‘drones’ for surveillance missions. The Mail on Sunday also reports on Libya, and suggests that British special forces have corralled hundreds of Daesh jihadis in ‘kill boxes’ in the besieged Libyan city of Sirte. It is the MOD's longstanding policy not to comment on Special Forces.
Conduct after capture
The Sunday Times also claims that British troops are no longer expected to reveal only their name, rank and serial number if they are captured and face torture. The article says that senior officers have accepted that it is unrealistic to expect troops to refuse to disclose military secrets if they are seized by terrorist organisations such as Daesh or al-Qaeda. The MOD's position to clarify this inaccurate report can be seen in full below.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The guidance for members of the Armed Forces, If captured, remains unchanged. Personnel are required to give their number, rank, full names and date of birth, and do not have to give any further information.
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