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.

We are following closely the situation in northern Iraq. FCDO Ministers and senior officials regularly reiterate to the need for dialogue and cooperation between Turkey and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to combat terrorism, ensure regional security, and protect civilians. Our diplomatic missions are in regular contact with Turkish, Government of Iraq and Kurdistan regional Government authorities. Our focus is always on securing an end to violence and protecting civilians. The UK continues to champion on the rights of minorities, including Yazidis, in Iraq, including through working with a wide range of actors to ensure full implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law.

We are aware of reports of attacks carried out by Turkey in both Northern Iraq and Syria and continue to follow the situation closely. FCDO Ministers and senior officials regularly reiterate the need for dialogue and cooperation between Iraq and Turkey to combat terrorism, ensure regional security, and protect civilians. We welcome recent discussions between Iraqi and Turkish Defence Ministers regarding Ankara's military operations against the PKK in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. We welcome the fact that the ceasefire in north west Syria agreed by Turkey and Russia in March 2020 is broadly holding. We are concerned by increased violence in recent months, including frequent airstrikes and daily artillery shelling. It is essential that all parties to the conflict respect the ceasefire and allow humanitarian access. We urge all parties to increase their efforts to adhere to it.

We regularly reiterate the need for dialogue and cooperation between Iraq and Turkey to combat terrorism, ensure regional security, and protect civilians whilst respecting Iraqi sovereignty. Reports of an attack on a hospital are deeply worrying and it is important that the full facts are established. We have repeatedly called on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, and we are monitoring the situation closely.

The UK welcomed last year's Sinjar Agreement as a critical step to stabilise the region- it is vital that all groups cooperate with its implementation.

We have paused counter-Daesh military activities in Iraq to focus on protecting the Iraqi bases that host Coalition personnel, taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the British and Coalition personnel based in the region. The safety and security of personnel is of paramount importance and force protection measures and advice are under constant review.

The recent attacks on Coalition bases in Iraq have threatened the safety of Coalition and Iraqi personnel. We have changed our posture and reallocated resources to prioritise force protection.

UK airstrikes always follow the principles of international humanitarian law: necessity, proportionality, distinction between combatants and non-combatant civilians, and the prevention of unnecessary suffering. The complex and congested urban environment of Mosul presented particular challenges for those undertaking airstrikes as part of the Coalition support to forces on the ground against Daesh. Our rigorous targeting processes take into account the conditions on the ground, including the potential presence of a civilian population. We undertake a battle damage assessment after every airstrike. This assessment examines all the available records including video, and one of its roles is the identification of any collateral damage, including civilian casualties. If any such assessment indicated anything that should be scrutinised further, a full investigation would be undertaken, with appropriate resources allocated to it. Thus there is no requirement for a further evaluation of the deployment of UK airpower in the campaign against Daesh.

As a close ally and partner, we regularly discuss the situation in northern Syria and northern Iraq with the Turkish government. Turkey has a legitimate right to defend itself against the PKK. We have encouraged Turkey to work closely with Global Coalition partners, the Iraqi government and Kurdistan Region of Iraq in order to combat terrorist organisations like the PKK and Daesh.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Turkey has a legitimate right to defend itself against the PKK. We regret the reported death and injury of several members of the Peshmerga from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

UK personnel in Iraq perform a number of roles. This includes supporting UK and coalition airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq. Iraqi security forces are able to communicate with coalition aircraft through coalition HQs including the Iraqi Joint Operating Centre in Baghdad. Coalition aircraft in Iraq either engage in dynamic targeting, for example responding to Iraqi forces under fire, or in deliberate targeting, when for example attacking previously identified ISIL positions prior to an advance by Iraqi security forces.

There are currently eight UK Tornado GR4s based at RAF Akrotiri for operations over Iraq.

There are no concerns with regard to the supply of spares for Tornado aircraft being used for airstrikes on Iraq. Routine and priority spares demands are being satisfied within agreed supply chain pipeline times.

The Tornado Detachment in Akrotiri has sufficient aircrew to undertake the current level of tasking while at the same time providing appropriate crew rest periods.

Airstrikes in Iraq, including those conducted by the RAF, have contributed directly to halting some of ISIL's advances, and supporting Iraqi forces engaged on the ground. We routinely assess the results of each strike conducted by UK aircraft, and the overall effect of strikes, including through the use of our surveillance assets, which we have deployed to improve the coalition's understanding of the situation on the ground.

The UK has a number of military assets deployed in support of the US-led humanitarian mission in Iraq, including Tornado GR4s with surveillance capability, a UK Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft, voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft and C130s.

We also have a range of other contingent capabilities, some of which are assigned to ongoing or potential operations.