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24 Nov 14. Sierra Leone: OP GRITROCK. The UK is providing planning support to the Government of Sierra Leone; supervising the construction of six treatment units; training more than 3,000 local health care workers (to increase to 4,000) and manning a 12-bed treatment facility. (Oral Answers (OA), 24 Nov 14.)
The UK Government has committed £230m to tackle Ebola, including support for 700 Ebola treatment beds in Sierra Leone. (Written Answers (WA), 24 Nov 14.)
The UK is also providing care for up to 8,800 patients over six months and is shoring up the public health services. RFA Argus and three Merlin helicopters continue to provide support for medical teams and aid experts. (MoD, 26 Nov 14.)
The costs incurred by the MoD in tackling Ebola will mainly be met by DfID. (WA, 26 Nov 14.)
The UK is leading the international response to Ebola in Sierra Leone; working with a wide range of UK and international Non-Governmental Organisations. (Lords’, 27 Nov 14.)
Comment: A lengthy article in the ‘New York Times’ (28 Nov 14) quoted the World Health Organisation as reporting over 1,800 new cases of Ebola in Sierra Leone in November alone. The figure indicates a higher rate of infection than in Liberia, which had been the centre of the outbreak.
(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 14/47, 01 Dec 14)
24 Nov 14. Iraq: OP SHADER. The UK’s contribution to coalition activity so far has been second only to that of the US in surveillance, intelligence gathering, strike missions and the supply of arms and ammunition. The UK plans to provide further training and assistance. (OA), 24 Nov 14.)
“I cannot put a time frame on the current action, although I think the US Secretary of State considered that it would take years rather than months or weeks.” (OA, 24 Nov 14.)
Since Parliament authorised military action in support of combat Operations, the RAF has flown 139 missions, gathering intelligence, providing surveillance and striking some 37 targets. The UK is already providing training and equipment to Kurdish Forces and is preparing to provide further training. (OA, 24 Nov 14.)
As at 12 Nov 14, the UK had conducted 16 strikes in Iraq from Tornado and Reaper aircraft using Paveway IV bombs and Hellfire and Brimstone missiles against a range of targets. To date the UK has not received any reports of civilian casualties. (WA, 24 Nov 14.)
British Forces have conducted further air missions to assist the Iraqi Government’s military Operations against the ISIL terrorist organisations. (MoD, 27 Nov 14.)
Comment: According to a US newspaper report (‘New York Times’ 27 Nov 14) attack and surveillance aircraft are being moved from Afghanistan to support the air war against the Islamic State. 12 A-10 ground-attack planes have already been moved from Afghanistan to Kuwait. Some six Reaper UAV are expected to follow. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 14/47, 01 Dec 14)
24 Nov 14. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK/OP CATALINA. On 26 Oct 14 British troops left Camp Bastion and the last of the UK personnel left Kandahar Airfield on
23 Nov 14. All the UK’s major equipment and matériel has left Afghanistan. (OA, 24 Nov 14.)
There are two schemes in place for Afghan interpreters: a financial package or a resettlement option. So far, about 350 have opted for resettlement in the UK. (OA, 24 Nov 14.)
The number of sorties in which RAF crews utilised USAF Reapers to undertake UK sorties was: two in 2008; 21 in 2009; four in 2010; 64 in 2011; 180 in 2012; 56 in 2013 and 192 in 2014 (Jan to Aug). (WA, 25 Nov 14.)
A total of 231 locally employed Afghan patrol interpreters worked alongside the British Army between November 2013 and October 2014. (WA, 26 Nov 14.)
The Foreign Secretary