Wednesday 22 March – Typhoons provided close support to Iraqi troops in west Mosul, hitting three Daesh positions…

The RAF has continued 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. Daesh’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 Daesh tactics, the RAF continues to take all steps necessary to minimise civilian causalities.

Royal Air Force Typhoons flew close air support missions over west Mosul on Wednesday 22 March, in support of Iraqi ground forces as they continued to engage Daesh terrorists in very close combat in the city’s streets. Our aircraft conducted a simultaneous attack with Paveway IV guided bombs on two terrorist positions. The expertise of both the aircrew and the Iraqi troops allowed the attack to be delivered despite Iraqi forces being only tens of metres from the Daesh fighters. A second attack then eliminated a further group of Daesh fighters, armed with light machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades.