22 Feb 16. Iraq and Syria: OP SHADER. The UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Syria published a report (22 Feb 16) on the human rights situation in Syria. The UK’s Special Representative for Syria said that the report “makes grim reading”. (FCO, 22 Feb 16.) The UN Secretary-General condemned the multiple bombings that took place on 21 Feb 16 in Damascus and Homs, as claimed by Daesh. (UN, 22 Feb 16.)
Tornado GR4s and a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft conducted counter-Daesh missions over Syria on 18 Feb 16. Over Iraq, other Tornados continued to support Iraqi Army operations around Ramadi. On 19 Feb 16 Typhoons and Tornados patrolled over Western Iraq, destroying an anti-aircraft gun. North East of Al Asad Air Base two targets were identified and destroyed. Over Syria, a Reaper and other coalition aircraft supported Syrian forces North West of Raqqa. Reapers were again in action over Syria and Iraq on 20 Feb 16. A Typhoon flight patrolled East of Mosul on 22 Feb 16 and destroyed a Daesh team planting improvised explosive devices. (MoD, 23 Feb 16.)
Between 2 Dec 15 and 23 Feb 16 there were 362 (RAF) strikes against Daesh targets; 319 in Iraq and 43 in Syria. (Armed Forces’ Minister, 23 Feb 16.)
Comment: The Foreign Secretary welcomed (22 Feb 16) the announcement of a Cessation of Hostilities in Syria from 27 Feb 16. Mr Hammond concluded his remarks: “I hope that the cessation of hostilities, properly implemented, will enable negotiations to re-start in earnest as soon as possible. These talks must deliver a political transition in Syria, away from Asad, to a government in Damascus that can represent all Syrians.” (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 16/09, 29 Feb 16)
26 Feb 16. Egypt: Engineering Support. The Defence Secretary announced (25 Feb 16) that the UK is to deploy a Squadron of Royal Engineers to provide short-term engineering support to the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) peacekeeping organisation in Egypt. The deployment is to start in March 2016 and will involve some 100 Royal Engineers carrying out a range of infrastructure work at the MFO main operating base in Sinai for up to 12 weeks.
Comment: The MFO was created by an agreement between Egypt and Israel to monitor the terms of the 1979 Peace Treaty. The UK has a long history of supporting the MFO and currently provides a Major from the Royal Engineers to serve on the Force Commander’s Staff.
The Foreign Secretary and the Egyptian Foreign Minister signed two Memoranda of Understanding on 6 Nov 15, designed to “launch a new stage in our British-Egyptian partnership for stability and reform”.
(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 16/09, 29 Feb 16)
22 Feb 16. Libya: No Military Involvement – Yet. Replying to a Parliamentary Question the Armed Forces’ Minister said (22 Feb 16) that the UK was considering, with Partner Nations, how best to support the new Libyan Government. No decisions have been made about the future deployment of any British military personnel to Libya as part of an international coalition force.
Comment: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UAE, the UK and the US issued a joint statement (18 Feb 16) welcoming the Libyan Presidency Council’s 14 Feb 16 announcement of a Government of National Accord. Finalising the Government of National Accord “is an essential step toward providing the Libyan people the opportunity to re-build their Country and counter the threat posed by Daesh to their common future.” (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 16/09, 29 Feb 16)
23 Feb 16. Diego Garcia: Future to be Resolved. The future of Diego Garcia was raised in both Houses of Parliament (23 Feb 16). The Government is clear that it wants to see the present arrangements to continue, but discussions with the US have yet to be held.
Comment: Diego Garcia is within the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) (Chagos Islands). The islands of the Chagos Archipelago have been British territory since 1814 a