RAF Fighters Kill ISIS Fighters In Iraqi Caves Using Laser-Guided Bombs

RAF fighter pilots have successfully destroyed two ISIS terror cells hiding inside caves in Iraq, using laser-guided missiles.

The RAF Typhoon FGRs used Paveway IV guided bombs to successfully kill the fighters who were inside caves near to Bayji - about 130 miles north of the capital Baghdad - in a co-ordinated attack.

These simultaneous attacks come just a matter of days after the Iraqi authorities confirmed that an ISIS commander who claimed to be the leader of the terrorist organisation in the country had been killed by an airstrike.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) explained that a coalition surveillance aircraft had identified the fighters in the cave on 24 January, before the two RAF fighter jets were sent out to perform the strike.

The pilots made sure to check the area around the two caves - which were a mile and a half apart - for civilian presence, so as not to accidentally kill them, before launching the strike.

The MoD said: "All four of the bombs struck the targets accurately and the strike was assessed to have been a success in eliminating the terrorist threat."

The Ministry did not say how many people were killed in the attacks.

These latest strikes are part of an effort to stop ISIS gaining a foothold in Iraq by assisting the Iraqi security forces.

While much of ISIS' presence in the country was wiped out more than three years ago, the group remains a threat.

A reminder of that threat came in the form of an attack in Baghdad two weeks ago that killed 32 people.

This strike is the first British armed forces attack on ISIS since 6 October last year, when a coalition airstrike killed terrorists that had attacked Iraqi soldiers in the deserts of Anbar province to the west of Baghdad.

Last April, the RAF also launched airstrikes on six caves near Bayji that were housing ISIS fighters.

On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi confirmed the death of the ISIS commander Abu Yaser al-Issawi - who was calling himself the 'deputy caliph' - following an 'intelligence-led operation'.

He paid tribute to Iraq's 'heroic armed forces' and said: "I gave my word to pursue [ISIS] terrorists, we gave them a thundering response."

ISIS had claimed responsibility for the deaths of 32 people after a suicide bombing at a crowded market.

While such attacks were commonplace during the US occupation of Iraq, much of the country has returned to normal following the decimation of ISIS.

However, the group retains a low-level presence within the country.

Featured Image Credit: Ministry of Defence

Topics: iraq, World News, UK News, army, Asia, ISIS

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

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