(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) This weekend saw the first air strike by a Royal Air Force Reaper remotely piloted air system (RPAS) as British forces continue to assist the Iraqi Government in their fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). A series of coalition missions were conducted near Bayji, north of Baghdad, where ISIL terrorists were laying improvised explosive devices, the British the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Monday. The Reaper RPAS, using procedures identical to those of manned aircraft, successfully attacked the terrorists using a Hellfire missile. UK Reaper continued to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assistance to coalition aircraft which enabled them to conduct further strikes, according to the statement.
In addition, on Sunday morning, 2 RAF Tornado GR4s were tasked to investigate suspected ISIL activity near Al Anbar, west of Baghdad. A single Brimstone missile was used to successfully destroy a shipping container used by the terrorists to store equipment to support extortion and control of the local population.
November 4 saw further action from Royal Air Force aircraft as they continue to assist the Iraqi Government in their fight against ISIL, the statement noted. Two Tornado GR4s, flying in support of Iraqi army units in the area surrounding Bayji north of Baghdad, used a Brimstone precision guided missile to successfully destroy an ISIL armed pick-up truck. Other RAF aircraft, including tankers, transport and surveillance platforms also continue to support coalition air operations.
November 3 over the weekend, 2 Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s were tasked to investigate ISIL activity near the scene of an earlier successful coalition air strike at Al Qaim, north-west of Baghdad.
The aircraft, as part of the international coalition supporting the Iraqi government, identified and destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle using a single Brimstone missile. RAF Tornados were involved in further attacks this morning as a Brimstone missile was again used to attack a heavily armed ISIL pick-up truck.
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