UK extends surveillance operations in Iraq and Syria until 2016

UK surveillance operations to monitor Islamic Daesh in Iraq and Syria have been extended until 2016, the Defense Secretary has announced.

Michael Fallon said the RAF's sole Sentinel spy aircraft will continue to be deployment as part of the "intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance commitment" to the US-led coalition in the fight against the extremist group, ITV website reported on Saturday.

The announcement comes a year after MPs voted for military action in Iraq, with the launch of air strikes against IS shortly afterwards.

Iraqi forces, aided by the coalition, had regained 25% of the territory held by IS, also known as Isil, following the militants' advance last summer, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

Fallon said: "The fight against Isil is our top operational priority and Britain is playing a vital role.

"Our armed forces have conducted more than 300 strikes, flown almost a third of all coalition surveillance flights and trained over 2,000 local troops. In 2014 Isil enjoyed near total freedom of movement across much of Iraq but we've helped stop the jihadist advance, reclaiming a quarter of Isil-held territory. Now we must build on this progress. We will not let up until we have defeated this barbaric terrorist organisation."

A total of 800 UK personnel have been committed to the campaign, training 2,000 Iraqi soldiers, while RAF Reaper, Airseeker and Sentinel aircraft had made 30% of all surveillance missions.

Source: MENA