As a member of the global coalition against Daesh, the UK is supporting the Iraqi authorities and the United Nations as they develop stabilisation planning for Mosul and Nineweh governorate. The UK is already providing over £15 million to support UN stabilisation programmes. This is helping secure liberated areas, clear Daesh explosives and support the renovation of water facilities, power networks, clinics and schools. It is also helping the Governor of Ninevah’s office assess post-liberation needs and priorities, including where to pre-position kit for repairs to infrastructure.

The RAF is playing a full part in on-going Coalition air support to operations around Fallujah. UK personnel have already made a key contribution to building the capacity of Iraqi security forces by training over 14,200 troops in countering improvised explosive devices, medical and infantry skills. The additional trainers that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 30 June (HCWS50) will help train further Iraqi forces to assist them in consolidating their recent gains in Anbar province.

We welcome the progress made by the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in recapturing Fallujah. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi declared the city fully liberated on 26 June. Iraqi forces continue to clear pockets of Daesh resistance along with the thousands of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that have been placed by Daesh in schools, mosques, hospital and homes. The United Kingdom is providing support to the ISF through RAF air strikes, military assistance and training, alongside our coalition partners.

The UK is also working with the Coalition to support the Government of Iraq in developing plans to stabilise areas, like Fallujah, which have been liberated from Daesh, and by working to provide the governance, services and security necessary to enable the safe return of Iraqis to their homes, including the management of explosive hazards such as IEDs.

As part of Coalition forces, the RAF is conducting airstrikes against Daesh targets in support of ISF operations in Fallujah.

The Government of Iraq is committed to stabilising areas which have been liberated from Daesh by providing the governance, services and security necessary to enable the safe return of Iraqis to these areas. The Global Coalition is supporting the Government of Iraq to do this, including by working through the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilisation. In the last year, UNDP report that these efforts have contributed to the return of 170,000 people to Tikrit, 49,000 people to Al Dour and 15,000 people to Mkeishifa. The UK has supported these efforts by providing £2.5 million to UNDP, deploying stabilisation advisors to UNDP and to the British Embassy in Baghdad, deploying a Communications Advisor to support the Governor of Anbar, and providing £225,000 to United Nations Mine Action Service to establish a coordination unit to assess the scope of explosive threats.