We continually monitor the security situation in Iraq, working closely with our fellow members of the Global Coalition and the Government of Iraq. The US drone strike in Baghdad on January 4 which killed Abu Taqwa, a leader of the Iran Aligned Militia Group Harakat al-Nujaba, was announced as an act of self-defence by the US. The ongoing safety and protection of Coalition Forces members in Iraq remains paramount. The UK highlights the Government of Iraq's commitment to protect these forces. Lord Ahmad spoke with Minister Hussein on 4 January, and we frequently engage at official level.

At the request of the Iraqi Government, 151 personnel are deployed to Iraq in support of the Global Coalition against Daesh.

UK personnel are deployed in an 'advise, assist, enable' capacity, serving in support of the Iraqi Security Forces to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh.

We applaud the efforts of Prime Minister Kadhimi and the Independent High Electoral Commission to run smooth elections with unprecedented support from the UN. The technical processes show a clear improvement on previous elections, and the lack of any major security incidents is testament to the hard work of the security forces. We call on all parties to respect the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process.

The recent attacks in Kirkuk Governorate demonstrated that Daesh still remains active and represents a continuing threat to the safety and security of the people of Iraq and the wider region, particularly in the disputed territories such as Kirkuk. We work closely with the UN and international partners to encourage the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to resolve their issues, including on disputed territories.

As a leading member of the Global Coalition against Daesh, the UK continues to support the Iraqi and Iraqi Kurdish Security Forces in maintaining capacity and capability to tackle the threat from Daesh.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes all claims of intimidation or threats to locally recruited workers (LRWs) very seriously and as such has responded to these allegations, directly engaging with the interpreters in question. MOD has set contracting standards which require that people must be as safe and secure as reasonably possible when working in our support. We continue to hold our contractors to these high standards.

As part of the MOD's own investigation a specialist investigator interviewed all eight of the LRWs. Individual risk assessments were completed, and bespoke security advice was given pertaining to their situation. Further work will now be undertaken to decide if subsequent interventions are required, however it is unlikely that the situation would warrant relocation to the UK. The contractor has also offered advice and support.

The UK is concerned by the recent short-notice closures of displacement camps in Iraq, which has affected 26,300 people to date out of a total population of 110,000 in federal Iraq. The speed of camp closures and lack of coordination with the UN, NGOs and donors risks forcing vulnerable people to return to areas without adequate shelter, infrastructure, or services. The UK is coordinating advocacy efforts with international partners to slow the rate of unplanned camp closures.

Since 2014 the UK has provided £272 million in humanitarian support to millions of vulnerable Iraqis displaced by the Daesh conflict including providing food to over 500,000 people and life saving healthcare services to 4.3 million people. The UK will continue to work with the Government of Iraq, UN and partners to ensure that the conditions for voluntary and safe returns are met.

The safety and security of all our personnel is of paramount importance. The Ministry of Defence keeps operational risk for both Afghanistan and Iraq under constant review, and we adjust our force protection arrangements in accordance with the circumstances. We have regular discussions with the US and other Allies about our approach to both countries, which we do not discuss publicly.

The UK remains committed to Iraq's sovereignty and ensuring that Iraq is able to govern effectively in the interests of its people. The Prime Minister underlined this support during his meeting with Prime Minister Kadhimi on 22 October. The UK regularly engages with all partners of Iraq, including Iran and the United States, in order to support stability in Iraq and the wider region.

We remain committed to supporting displaced Iraqis, including religious and ethnic minorities, to return to their homes, such as in Nineveh province. UK humanitarian and stabilisation assistance, totalling £382 million since 2014, has contributed to helping more than 4 million to return to their homes. Our support includes £28 million to the UNDP Funding Facility for Stabilisation (FFS), which has completed over 490 projects in the Ninewa plains helping to restore vital infrastructure and basic services. We also remain committed to supporting Iraq to prevent Daesh resurgence, as the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed to new Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein on 25 June. As part of our leading role in the Global Coalition against Daesh, UK forces have trained over 110,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces and 21,000 Kurdish Peshmerga.

We consider it important that an Iraqi Government is in place to address the significant economic, security and health challenges Iraq faces. The UK maintains frequent engagement with Iraqi political leaders and parties. The Minister for Middle East and North Africa discussed the current situation in Iraq with the Iraqi Ambassador to London on 16 March and with Foreign Minister Hakim on 1 April. The Iraqi Parliament is due to vote on 6 May the proposed Iraqi Government under Prime Minister designate Mustafa Khademi.

We remain concerned at the risk of Daesh resurgence in parts of Syria and Iraq. We have been clear that, despite their loss of territory, Daesh still pose a threat to the security of both countries, and the region. For this reason we continue to work with the Global Coalition and our partners to tackle Daesh in Syria and Iraq and to prevent Daesh fighters from travelling from there to other countries. We have close and frequent dialogue with the Jordanian government on regional security issues, both bilaterally and as part of the Global Coalition Against Daesh and Small Group on Syria.

​We are deeply concerned about the continued violence in Iraq. We continue to urge the Iraqi security forces to show restraint and call for the protests to be peaceful. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Abdul Mehdi on 9 October to express UK concerns about the disproportionate security response and push for the Government to take action to respond to protesters' legitimate concerns. I spoke to Foreign Minister Al-Hakim on 10 October to underline these points. Our Ambassador in Baghdad has been in close contact with senior Iraqis including the Iraqi President and Prime Minister. We are also working with international partners and the UN to encourage and support the Government of Iraq to take quick and effective action on tackling corruption, creating jobs and improving services, in line with the protestors' legitimate demands.

The UK is committed to supporting women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence and that those responsible are brought to justice. We are pushing for justice and accountability for all victims of Daesh. This includes leadership in ensuring the UNSC unanimously adopted Resolution 2379 on Daesh Accountability, and contributing £1m to support the establishment of a UN investigative team (UNITAD) that will collect evidence of Daesh crimes in Iraq.

UK aid has enabled the UN Trust Fund to support the Free Yezidi Foundation, a women’s and children’s centre that provides safety and support for women who have suffered at the hands of Daesh. Furthermore, the UK has contributed over £23 million to the UNDP Funding Facility for Stabilisation (FFS), to help the Iraqi Government stabilise areas of return and re-establish security, basic services and inclusive local governance. UNDP and partners of the FFS regularly consult religious and community leaders in areas in which it is operating, to understand return trends and develop strategies to address the barriers that impact on the decision of families to return and rebuild their communities. In addition to this, in January, DFID announced the allocation of a further £5 million to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). This funding is to support six explosive clearance teams across the country's Sinjar Province to clear explosives from critical areas such as schools, hospitals and roads, which will improve the conditions for communities to return home safely.

​We are pleased to see progress on the formation of a Cabinet, including the key posts of Minister for Foreign Affairs, who I spoke to on 20 December, and Finance Minister. We encourage swift announcement of the remaining Cabinet members.

We will continue to support the Government of Iraq in its efforts to deliver the reforms needed to rebuild public trust in the Iraqi state and unite all Iraqis against extremism. We are encouraging progress on economic and security sector reform and reinforcing the importance of political reconciliation, which is critical to winning the peace post-Daesh. The UK is assisting the Government of Iraq to re-establish security, basic services and inclusive local governance in areas formerly under Daesh control. Through funding and diplomatic efforts, we are also supporting the development of inclusive and representative reconciliation processes at both national and community level.

Information relating to the number of civilian casualties in Syria and Iraq resulting from coalition operations is not held by the UK, and is a matter for the United States Central Command.

The UK was involved in one incident on 26 March 2018 in which a UK air strike targeting Daesh terrorists in eastern Syria resulted in an unintentional civilian fatality.

I refer my noble Friend to the written statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Gavin Williamson) in the House of Commons on 2 May 2018 (HCWS665).

We conduct detailed assessments after each UK air strike and will review any relevant information from non-Governmental organisations. We have not seen any evidence that the UK has been responsible for any other civilian deaths in Syria or Iraq as a result of RAF air strikes.

We remain committed to being transparent about any fatalities caused as a result of UK strikes.

Daesh has lost over 99% of the territory it once held in Iraq and Syria and the Coalition assesses there are currently not enough Daesh fighters remaining in Iraq and Syria to make any further significant territorial gains. However, Daesh has dispersed into a cellular structure in order to maintain some form of insurgency activity, including through extortion, planting improvised explosive devices, kidnapping and mounting terrorist attacks. As part of the Global Coalition, the UK subscribes to this assessment and aims to remove any opportunity for Daesh to pose a threat to the security of Iraq, the UK and our allies.

National elections on 12 May represented an important moment for Iraq. We note that the final results are yet to be announced, but we look forward to the announcement soon and will work with all political groups to encourage formation of an effective, inclusive government that addresses the needs and hopes of all Iraqi citizens.

The UK and Iraq enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, share great hopes for the future and a commitment to work together in our common interest. We look forward to working with the next government to help deliver stability, security and prosperity for all Iraqis and across the wider region.

The UK has no current plans to increase the number of troops deployed in Iraq. However, we keep this under review to ensure we have the right number of troops deployed with the appropriate permissions to support the training of Iraqi forces.

Iraqi forces are becoming increasingly capable and are deployed across the country in counter-Daesh roles. As the Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon) announced on 30 January 2017 (Official Report, column 656), he recently authorised UK personnel to deliver training where needed at secure and protected locations in Iraq in addition to training at the main bases of Besmayah, Taji and Al Asad. This aligns with our approach in the Kurdish region and ensures UK personnel will continue to deliver the infantry skills, counter-IED, combat first aid and engineering training Iraqi forces require.