News story: Iraq: UK government response

Posted by on 13 August, 2014
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The situation in Northern Iraq remains deeply worrying and we condemn the barbaric attacks waged by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) terrorists across the region.

The United Nations has declared the situation in Northern Iraq as the highest level of humanitarian emergency as around 500,000 people are displaced in Dahuk province alone.

We welcome the formation of Prime Minister al-Abadi’s government and his commitment to creating a government that can unite Iraq.

At the request of the Iraqi government, the UK has confirmed the supply of urgent military support in the form of heavy machine guns and nearly half a million rounds of ammunition, giving the Kurdish Peshmerga additional firepower in order to help them defend the front line, protect civilians and push back ISIL advances.

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Overview

The UK government response in Iraq is focused on 3 objectives:

  • alleviating the humanitarian suffering of those Iraqis targeted by ISIL terrorists
  • promoting an inclusive, sovereign and democratic Iraq that can push back on ISIL advances and restore stability and security across the country
  • working with the international community to tackle the broader threat that ISIL poses to the region and other countries around the world, including the UK

ISIL speak for no religion and are not an invincible military force. At every level we have to challenge their messaging and their capability. We need a tough, intelligent, patient and comprehensive approach to defeat the terrorist threat at source using all the resources at our disposal—our aid, diplomacy and military.

Preventing extremism at home

People seeking to travel to engage in terrorist activity in Syria or Iraq should be in no doubt we will take the strongest possible action to protect our national security, including prosecuting those who break the law. We also have a wide range of powers at our disposal to disrupt travel and manage the risk posed by returnees.

We are redoubling these efforts to:

  • stop people going by taking away the passports of those contemplating travelling to take part in violence or extremism – the Home Office has seized 23 passports since we announced a stronger use of powers in April last year
  • ensure police have the powers they need to arrest those suspected in terrorist activities overseas – 69 people have been arrested in the first half of this year, compared to 25 in the whole of 2013
  • take extremist material off the internet – since February 2010, the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) has taken down more than 47,000 pieces of unlawful terrorist-related content, over 28,000 of these since December
  • continue to support a network of organisations who work with people we know are drifting into extremism and violence – they have offered the support of hundreds of people, making a very significant contribution to our national security

A national campaign was launched by police in April to warn of the dangers of travelling to Syria (pdf): the message is the same for those considering travelling to Iraq or any other conflict zone.

Preventing extremism abroad

Overseas aid

The Department for International Development (DFID) is leading the UK’s humanitarian response and getting life-saving aid to people across northern and central Iraq who have fled ISIL terrorists. The UK is delivering £23 million of aid, which includes:

  • £4 million for humanitarian supplies – this includes aid that was air dropped to help those trapped in the Sinjar Mountains, as well as supporting UN agencies to move food and equipment
  • £12.5 million of funding to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and NGO partners to support over 200,000 people over the coming 6 months – this funding will allow partners to provide basic life-saving assistance, including food, shelter, water, sanitation and medical care
  • £5 million given to UN partners and NGOs at the beginning of June to provide immediate life-saving assistance to 150,000 people
  • a further £1.5 million to strengthen the overall humanitarian response – DFID is supporting logistics and coordination mechanisms to enable Kurdish and UN systems to respond effectively to humanitarian needs in the region, as well as supporting the International Humanitarian Partnership to set up a camp for 20,000 displaced people near Dahuk

We are planning further aid deliveries to the region, with UK military assets remaining in the region to help with these efforts if needed.

Military support

The UK is providing non-lethal equipment directly to the Kurdish forces and helping to transport other vital equipment to assist the Peshmerga forces who are battling the insurgents. To date, the RAF has helped deliver:

  • 11 tonnes of equipment directly to Erbil in 2 C-130 Hercules aircraft – this consisted of 7.62mm ammunition provided by other nations, and helmets and sleeping bags provided by the UK
  • a range of non-lethal support, to be gifted by the UK to Iraq, to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, including body armour and high calorie ration packs which will be transported on to the Kurdish forces

We support US military air strikes against ISIL in Iraq, and will continue to support the Iraqis in their fight against the barbaric ISIL terrorists.

Diplomacy

The UK co-sponsored the resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council on 1 September, which highlights ISIL’s abhorrent actions and commits to a team of experts going to Iraq to investigate these atrocities.

Other activity includes:

  • Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall in his role as Government Security Envoy to the Kurdistan region of Iraq will support Kurdish and wider Iraqi efforts to counter ISIL, and work with Iraq’s leaders as they establish a unity government
  • the UK led on the effort to secure a strong UN Security Council resolution to disrupt ISIL’s financing flows; to sanction those who are seeking to recruit to ISIL and to encourage countries to do all they can to prevent foreign fighters joining ISIL

Government news and statements

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