November 21st 2014 – Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft have conducted further operations in support of the Iraqi Government, helping their ground forces counter ISIL activity in the vicinity of the Bayji oil refinery.

The refinery, north of Baghdad, has been a focus of ISIL activity for several months. An Iraqi unit has mounted a continued defence, with air drops by the coalition keeping them supplied. Iraqi ground forces, supported by coalition aircraft, have been steadily clearing the route to the refinery, despite ISIL’s efforts to stop them.

Last night [November 20th], an RAF Tornado GR4 patrol flew in support of the Iraqi forces in the area, and was tasked to engage ISIL terrorists occupying three buildings within a compound. Each of these positions was struck with a Paveway IV precision guided bomb.

RAF Reaper remotely piloted aircraft were also in action over Iraq, carrying out armed reconnaissance missions. Three ISIL vehicles, in different locations, were positively identified by the crews operating the Reapers and were engaged with Hellfire missiles. Initial analysis indicates that these attacks were successful.