Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced that the UK is planning to offer further training to Iraqi forces and advisory personnel to Iraqi headquarters as well as providing additional training to Peshmerga fighters during his visit to Iraq.
In his first trip to the country as Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Fallon held talks in Baghdad with the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi and National Security Adviser Fallah al Fayyad before flying north to Erbil where he met with the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government Masoud Barzani and Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. Mr Fallon also visited trainers from the British Armed Forces who are instructing Peshmerga fighters on how to use the heavy machine guns gifted by the UK.
During these meetings, Mr Fallon discussed the ongoing support the UK is providing to the Iraqi military, including Kurdish forces, as part of the broad international coalition which is focussed on pushing back ISIL.
While in Iraq, the Defence Secretary reaffirmed the UK’s intention to provide counter-IED training to Iraqi forces as well as a contribution of advisory personnel to headquarters as part of a future package of support aimed at bolstering their ability to tackle ISIL. Mr Fallon also announced that the UK would be increasing its current training offer to the Kurds, to include infantry skills such as sharp-shooting and first aid, alongside the provision of further equipment.
The Government remains clear that no ground combat troops will be deployed to Iraq.
Mr Fallon said: “Iraqi forces are spearheading efforts to push back ISIL and their violent and repellent ideology. The UK, as part of the international coalition, is already taking part in airstrikes across Iraq and carrying out training for Kurdish forces in the north of the country.”
Secretary Fallon added: “It is right that we do more to help Iraqi forces take the fight to ISIL on the ground which is why the UK is offering the further training, support and assistance I have outlined today.”
The Defence Secretary’s visit comes as the UK prepares to increase the number of Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft in the region to provide further intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assistance to Iraqi forces in support of coalition and national interests.
En route to Iraq, Michael Fallon also met with counterparts in Qatar to discuss the role both countries are playing to tackle extremist groups. While meeting with the country’s Minister of Defence, Major General Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyah, Mr Fallon welcomed Qatar’s recent legislation to prevent terrorist funding in the country after the Prime Minister welcomed the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the UK last week.
The trip also provided an opportunity for the Defence Secretary to meet with allies in Kuwait to discuss regional security.
COMMUNITIES REMEMBER OUR ARMED FORCES
Local communities, schoolchildren and cadets have had the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of First World War heroes thanks to funding from the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant scheme.
This year, which marks the start of the First World War centenary, £10 million has been granted for initiatives that help build better links between local communities, our Armed Forces, their families and veterans. A number of these projects have focused on commemorating the sacrifices made by people of all faiths who fought to protect our nation.
One of these projects, made possible by £30,000 Armed Forces Community Covenant funding, took 100 soldiers, 80 schoolchildren, 30 Army cadets and local religious leaders from the north west of England to northern France so they could commemorate the first action of the Jullundur Brigade in the First World War.
Other projects have included over £100,000 for exhibitions in Manchester and Bury Lancashire that highlight the significant role Hindu, Muslim and Sikh personnel made during the First World War.
Defence Minister Anna Soubry said: “The Armed Forces Covenant is about society’s commitment and recognition of our Armed Forces. We want to help our local communities show their support and remember the sacrifices our Armed Forces have made which is precisely why we have made £30 million available for local projects.
“Projects like the Jullundur Brigade Commemoration are excellent examples of what can be achieved using this funding and how we can strengthen the relationships between our Armed Forces and our local communities, recognising the proud heritage we all share.”
Colonel Chris Owen, regimental secretary of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, said: “There were Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians in The Jullundur Brigade – a microcosm of the area where we recruit now. This has resonance for our community and an educational resonance for the children.
Col. Owen added: “This is all about strengthening ties between us and the community and celebrating our shared history and knowledge. The multi-cultural element of the war is often overlooked, but we have to remember that it was an empire then and we have a Commonwealth now. There were many Indian troops on the Western Front, it was a real multicultural effort.”