RAF Tornados Engage ISIS in Mosul

Operation Summary 21-23 April

Friday, 21 April – Tornados struck an Islamic State supply vehicle and a group of fighters engaged in close combat with Iraqi troops in Mosul.

Saturday, 22 April – Tornados took part in a Coalition attack on Islamic State accommodation and vehicle sheds south-east of Rawah, and two engineering vehicles in Mosul.

Sunday, 23 April – Tornados bombed an Islamic State position in western Mosul.

Close Air Support Over Mosul

The RAF is continuing to support Iraqi forces in their effort to liberate western Mosul. While the operating environment in the city is very challenging, particularly given the closely-packed buildings, very narrow streets, and the density of the urban population, our aircrew have continued to deliver precision strikes in close support of Iraqi troops on the ground. Islamic State’s current tactics, including the illegal use of civilians as human shields, and fighting from sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighbourhoods, increases the risk to innocent life. While no military operations come without risk, particularly in dense urban environments and against such inhuman Islamic State tactics, the RAF continues to take all steps necessary to minimise civilian causalities.

RAF Tornados provided close air support over western Mosul on Friday 21 April. A pick-up truck used by Islamic State was destroyed with a Brimstone missile. The Tornados then struck a group of Islamic State fighters in a building which had been firing on Iraqi troops.

Tornado patrols over Mosul continued on Saturday 22 April, when the aircraft used Brimstone missiles to destroy two vehicles used by Islamic State. Two other Tornados struck a group of Islamic State buildings to the south-east of Rawah, in western Iraq.

In western Mosul on Sunday 23 April, an Islamic State-held building was struck by a Paveway IV, released by a Tornado flight, after Iraqi troops came under fire from the building.

Source: Ministry of Defence (Crown Copyright, OGL).

Photo: RAF Tornado GR4, Op ELLAMY (Libya), by Pete Mobbs (Crown Copyright, 2011).