Approximately 200 UK Service personnel were deployed on operations in Iraq as of Monday 29 January 2024.

On any given day figures can vary due to routine force rebalancing, rest and recuperation periods and relief in place.

UK training is focused on enhancing the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces in order to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh. This includes training on policy and strategy, planning, cyber security, human rights and women's empowerment.

As a leading member of the Global Coalition, the UK will continue to provide military support to the Iraqi Security Forces and regional partners in order tackle the threat of terrorism from Daesh, including to the UK. This remains a priority for the international community.

Since 2014, the Coalition has helped liberate over 110,000 square kilometres of former Daesh territory and continues to provide essential support to the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Security Forces at the request of the Iraqi Government. The Coalition also delivers essential aid to liberated communities, and the UK leads on the Coalition’s mission for countering Daesh propaganda.

There have been three air strikes conducted by UK Armed Forces against Daesh in Iraq and Syria in the last 12 months (two in Iraq and one in Syria). The combined flying hours of Reaper, Typhoon and Voyager during from November 2022 – November 2023 were 16,255 (Reaper: 6,940; Typhoon: 6,314; and Voyager: 2,999). As the data concerns operational activity, figures may be updated in the future.

The UK has 33 personnel currently committed to NATO Mission Iraq.

As of 13 June 2023 there were 154 UK Service personnel deployed to the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Those personnel are deployed under Op SHADER and provide mobility support and force protection to the Counter-DAESH coalition activity under Operation Inherent Resolve.

The UK has robust procedures to ensure that all military operations, including airstrikes, are conducted in full compliance with International Humanitarian Law. Every care is taken during UK military operations to minimise the potential for civilian casualties. To that end, we conduct a rigorous assessment before and after striking a target and will investigate any credible reports that UK actions may have caused civilian casualties.

Over the course of Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the international coalition to counter Daesh, we have previously identified one civilian casualty that occurred during an UK airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018.  This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018 (HCWS665). RAF aircraft did not conduct an attack near Al Bab in Syria on 20 December 2016. Despite our best efforts to identify whether there have been civilian casualties, no evidence we have suggests these occurred as a result of strikes carried out by the RAF in Mosul in 2016-17.

However, we accept the possibility that there could be instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to identify. We will always re-examine any new information or evidence relating to a potential civilian casualty incident submitted to us, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. National security considerations might prevent full disclosure of detail where this risks jeopardising operational security considerations.

The UK has robust procedures to ensure that all military operations, including airstrikes, are conducted in full compliance with International Humanitarian Law. Every care is taken during UK military operations to minimise the potential for civilian casualties. To that end, we conduct a rigorous assessment before and after striking a target and will investigate any credible reports that UK actions may have caused civilian casualties.

Over the course of Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the international coalition to counter Daesh, we have previously identified one civilian casualty that occurred during an UK airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018.  This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018 (HCWS665). RAF aircraft did not conduct an attack near Al Bab in Syria on 20 December 2016. Despite our best efforts to identify whether there have been civilian casualties, no evidence we have suggests these occurred as a result of strikes carried out by the RAF in Mosul in 2016-17.

However, we accept the possibility that there could be instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to identify. We will always re-examine any new information or evidence relating to a potential civilian casualty incident submitted to us, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. National security considerations might prevent full disclosure of detail where this risks jeopardising operational security considerations.

The basis for our continued air campaign is the mandate from Parliament and the consent of the Government of Iraq. In December 2021, the Global Coalition to Defeat Da'esh transitioned to an 'advise, assist, enable' mission. As part of this, the UK provides air support to the Iraqi Security Forces to secure the enduring defeat of Da'esh, which poses an ongoing threat in Iraq, Syria, and beyond.

We keep Iraqi internal stability under regular review and have noted the recent upsurge in violence with concern. Whilst the spike of large-scale unrest has dissipated since the end of August, the atmosphere in central and southern Iraq remains tense and further protests could occur.

The UK remains committed to the counter-Daesh mission, working alongside the Global Coalition at the continued request of the Government of Iraq. We remain hopeful that Iraq will find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the current political stalemate and that the Iraqi government will continue to support this vital work to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh.

The UK Ministry of Defence has continued to discuss security matters with senior Iraqis over recent months. The UK remains hopeful that Iraq will find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the current political stalemate and that our two nations may continue our collective efforts to secure the enduring defeat of Daesh.

At present, the UK has 22 Armed Forces personnel and two civilians deployed to the NATO Mission in Iraq.

Iranian-inspired militia activity in Iraq poses an ongoing threat to Coalition forces. We have been clear that these attacks, and the threat of the attacks, harm Iraq's peace, stability and prosperity. We continue to work with the Government of Iraq to promote stability and reduce the threat of further attacks by these groups.

The UK follows robust procedures and uses all available evidence when conducting battle damage assessments. Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. Specifically under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one civilian casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018. However, we accept the possibility that there could be other instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to assess battle damage. For that reason, in 2016, the then Defence Secretary committed that MOD officials would work with civil society organisations on this issue. As a result, we always re-examine any new information relating to a potential incident submitted to us by such organisations, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

The UK follows robust procedures and uses all available evidence when conducting battle damage assessments. Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. Specifically under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one civilian casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018. However, we accept the possibility that there could be other instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to assess battle damage. For that reason, in 2016, the then Defence Secretary committed that MOD officials would work with civil society organisations on this issue. As a result, we always re-examine any new information relating to a potential incident submitted to us by such organisations, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

The UK follows robust procedures and uses all available evidence when conducting battle damage assessments. Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. Specifically under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one civilian casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018. However, we accept the possibility that there could be other instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to assess battle damage. For that reason, in 2016, the then Defence Secretary committed that MOD officials would work with civil society organisations on this issue. As a result, we always re-examine any new information relating to a potential incident submitted to us by such organisations, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

The UK has not conducted any airstrikes against ISIS-K under Operation HERRICK or Operation TORAL.

Under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one Civilian Casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on the 26th March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018.

The UK has not conducted any airstrikes against ISIS-K under Operation HERRICK or Operation TORAL.

Under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one Civilian Casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on the 26th March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018.

Our armed forces continue to provide support to the Iraqi Government in tackling the threat posed by Daesh. The RAF has flown more than 8,700 sorties and released more than 4,300 precision weapons to target Daesh in Iraq and Syria. On the ground, we have trained in excess of 120,000 Iraqi and Kurdish personnel in everything from engineering to countering improvised explosive devices. We remain wholly committed to the coalition and supporting our ally Iraq in countering Daesh.

Our armed forces continue to provide support to the Iraqi Government in tackling the threat posed by Daesh. The RAF has flown more than 8,700 sorties and released more than 4,300 precision weapons to target Daesh in Iraq and Syria. On the ground, we have trained in excess of 120,000 Iraqi and Kurdish personnel in everything from engineering to countering improvised explosive devices. We remain wholly committed to the coalition and supporting our ally Iraq in countering Daesh.