Islamic State

(asked on 1st September 2014) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what measures are being taken by the UK to support resistance to Islamic State militants in Northern Iraq.


Answered by
Tobias Ellwood Portrait
Tobias Ellwood
This question was answered on 8th September 2014

We are providing practical support to the Kurdish Peshmerga as they fight ISIL: gifting them non-lethal military equipment, and transporting ammunition and military equipment to them from other countries. We are also using RAF aircraft to carry out surveillance work. The European Council on 30 August gave its clear endorsement to those European countries supporting the Kurdistan Regional Government with military equipment and supplies. This includes France, Germany and Italy, as well as the UK. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) has said, we would consider requests from the Government of Iraq for technical assistance or training support in order to secure stability and security across the country and alleviate the humanitarian suffering of those Iraqis targeted by ISIL terrorists. I travelled to Iraq on 26-27 August where I met President Masud and PM designate Al Abadi, as well as President Barzani of the Kurdish Regional Government. We discussed the UK's ongoing support for efforts to form a new, stable and inclusive government in Baghdad.

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