The battle for Mosul continues to lead defence-related news this morning.
Mosul
The Guardian, The Independent and various others continue to cover the battle to liberate Mosul. The UK's role in the operation is widely documented with Coalition aircrafts providing intensive air support to Iraqi ground forces.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
Daesh are on the back foot. The beginning of the encirclement of Mosul today is a big moment in our efforts to rid Iraq of Daesh. Mosul is a large and complex city and operations there will be tough but with Coalition support Iraqi forces will prevail. Alongside our Coalition partners, the UK will continue to play a leading role in the air and on the ground, including through our strike missions, specialised surveillance, humanitarian support and the mentoring and training of Iraqi forces.
Nuclear skills
Following a Defence Select Committee session, The Telegraph looks at nuclear skills and facilities, claiming that derelict British nuclear submarines will not be fully and safely dismantled for at least 25 years.
An MOD spokesperson said:
As a responsible nuclear operator, the MOD has a safe, secure and environmentally sound programme to dismantle submarines when they come to the end of their life, and continues to invest in the maintenance of the skills and facilities necessary.
Human Rights
The Independent report that Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights is “disappointed” in the fact that the Government has not clarified its position in relation to the use of lethal force outside armed conflict. The article says the Government has not said whether it was applying the laws of war to the killings and under what circumstances the European Convention on Human Rights applied.
A Government spokesperson said:
We will defend the UK and its citizens against threats and have shared information widely with the committee. As we advised them, where we identify a direct and imminent threat to the UK we reserve the right to act to address it. Such actions are only carried out as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted, and are in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Legal
The Daily Mail and The Sun report that a High Court hearing has begun, in which Iraqi prisoners claim they were unlawfully transferred by British forces to the custody of US forces, exposing them to the risk of ill-treatment.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The Government is clear that it acted lawfully at all times and is defending the cases vigorously. It would not be appropriate to comment further during ongoing legal proceedings.
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