Military Action Against IS Statement House of Commons

normal for us not to have opposition day debate by this stage. In 2015 by

the summary says after the general election we had already had five

opposition days. Order. We are not opening up the debate, it has been

dealt with. We will move onto the next business. The ministerial

statement, Secretary of State for Defence. With permission, Mr Deputy

Speaker, I would like to update the house on the counter Daesh campaign

in Iraq and Syria and the United Kingdom's involvement in this

collective effort by some 68 coalition nations, as well as the

Arab league, Interpol, the European Union and Nato. On Monday, three

years after be Daesh Aleida declared his so-called caliphate, victory was

declared in Mosul. Today, Daesh's black flag is no longer fly. The are

now only small pockets of resistance in west Mosul. I'm sure the whole

House will want to join me in praising all of those involved in

the operation. Over the last nine months, Iraqi security forces,

including the Kurdish Peshmerga, have fought in challenging

conditions to root out a callous enemy. Over 1200 Iraqi soldiers have

been killed in the fight for Mosul and more than 6000 wounded. I pay

tribute to the coverage and the sacrifice. They had been supported

with the permission of this House since September 2014 by the RAF

whose precision strikes represent two thirds of the coalition effort

outside of the United States operations against more than the 750

Daesh targets. The Army has trained over 58,000 Loki in -- local Iraqi

personnel. The royal navy has helped to protect aircraft carriers from

which strikes have been flown. The United Kingdom's cyber capability

has disrupted the extremists' activity. In Iraq 1.8 million people

have been freed from Daesh's Croll rule. Daesh have now lost more than

70% of the territory they once occupied in Iraq, but the liberation

of Mosul does not mean that by Ash has been defeated in Iraq or Syria.

-- Daesh. We need no reminder of the danger they still pose. In the past

few months our nation has suffered from three appalling attacks

inspired by the ideology shared by Daesh. I want to update the house in

three areas. First the military effort. We must ensure that there

are no safe havens for Daesh in Syria and Iraq. That is why Iraqi

security forces with the United Kingdom support will go on now to

defeat Daesh, to uproot them from the Euphrates River Valley and clear

the area of improvised explosive devices which let the lives of so

many innocent civilians. As Iraq is secured, and we have months to go,

we will continue in Syria. They have rejected Daesh from 51% of the

provinces they occupy. The SDF are relying heavily on coalition air

assets, reconnaissance and pinpoint missile strikes which we will

continue to provide as part of the global coalition. As we maintain

pressure on Mosul and Raqqa, we will continue to tighten the net around

this callous organisation, squeezing the terrorists on simultaneous

fronts, striking the senior leadership, capturing the poisonous

narrative and cutting off their finances as they progressively lose

access to the oil infrastructure on which they rely. Second,

humanitarian aid. We will continue to provide stabilisation and

humanitarian assistance. The International Development Secretary

updated the house yesterday on the humanitarian response that is

required in Mosul. Yet while that city can at last look forward, the

humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire. 13.5 million people

urgently need humanitarian assistance. 4.5 million of them are

in areas which are hard to reach and 1.3 million of those living under

siege like conditions. Around 100,000 civilians are estimated to

be remaining in Iraq are city, caught between Daesh and Assad in

desperate need of aid. Our response has been to commit 2.46 billion in

support for Syria. The largest ever British response to a single

humanitarian crisis, and all the while pushing for better access that

much-needed food and medicine reach people and for an end to attacks on

civilians. UK support has helped to stabilise the region more widely.

Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan have become hosts to large scale simian

populations and my right honourable friend the International Development

Secretary's Department has ensured that those departments have been

given the assistance they need in hosting large refugee populations in

improving regional security and reducing consequent migration

pressures in Europe. Thirdly, stronger governments. Humanitarian

aid is only part of the answer and meaningful political settlement is

needed now to guarantee sustainable peace. So we are working with our

international allies to strengthen regional governments. When it comes

to Iraq, the Foreign Secretary emphasise this to be Foreign

Minister Jafar Read, it means inclusive politics post Mosul,

allaying fears addressing the grievances that led to the rise of

Daesh and sticking to the April 20 18th election timetable. In Syria

the barbaric chemical weapons attack in April reminds us that the Assad

regime is no partner for peace. We continue to work for a transition

towards new governance, fully representative, that is committed to

protecting the rights of everyone in Syria. It is for Syrian is to decide

how that happens as part of a Syrian transition process, but to reach

that goal we continue to support the work of the United Nations special

envoy, as well of the political process that he is overseeing in

Geneva. We are engaging as well with the opposition to help them move

towards a political settlement and we use our role in the Security

Council and our participation in the international similar support group

to push for process. The recently negotiated ceasefire and the

escalation agreement brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan is

welcome. We hope it will lead to further de-escalation agreements. It

all depends on all the parties involved bow and we encourage them

to comply. What will count, and we have seen these agreements before,

what will count is what holds on the ground. In conclusion, Mr Deputy

Speaker, as I took office three years ago this week, Daesh were

closing in on the gates of Baghdad. Today they are a failing

organisation, what one that remains a threat. Mosul has now been

liberated, but the war remains to be won in Iraq as well as Syria. Our

resolve is unwavering as a leading member of the coalition. We will do

all we can to defeat Daesh and bring stability to the region, to provide

greater security to our people and to our allies at home and abroad.

Hear, hear. Can I thank the Secretary of State for his statement

and for advance sight of it. Mr Speaker, the liberation of Mosul

marks the end of three years of Daesh control of the city and we pay

tribute to all of those personnel who have taken part in this

campaign, especially our service men and women, who have served in the

operation. Whilst the battle for Mosul has almost been concluded, we

know that the fight against Daesh in Iraq and the wider region is far

from over. Then I asked the Secretary of State about the nature

of the support the UK will continue to provide show show -- to provide?

We know our Armed Forces have taken every precaution to prevent civilian

casualties. However, Amnesty International has produced a report

that is highly critical of the Iraqi government and the coalition. It has

been alleged that the actions of the coalition in Mosul have been

disproportionate and even, I quote, unlawful. I know that Major General

Rupert commander of the international anti-Daesh commission

has condemned the report in the strongest possible terms, saying

that it is deeply irresponsible and he has emphatically stated that we

should not forget that it is Daesh who are deliberately killing

civilians. Can I ask the secretary of state what his response is to the

Amnesty report? The Iraqi government has concerns about the possibility

of Daesh fighters crossing back into Iraq from Syria. So what role with

our Armed Forces play in ensuring the security of the border between

Iraq and Syria? As the operation moves from counterintelligence to

counterterrorism. -- counterterrorism, come the Secretary

of State update the house on the support and training that we will

continue to give to the Iraqi ground forces? The campaign against Daesh

in Syria is undoubtedly a more challenging and complex situation

that in Iraq. There are limitations on what the Defence Secretary can

tell the house, but can I ask the Secretary of State to be more

specific on the role our Armed Forces will have in the role of

liberating Raqqa from Daesh control? Finally, as the Secretary of State

will be aware, a member -- members have been calling for a service

medal for service men and women on this operation. It is now the time

to provide proper recognition to all of those who have served on that

operation and who have played a vital part in the fight against

Daesh and its perverse ideology. I am grateful to the honourable member

for what he said, particularly about the role of our service men and

women. Many of them have served the nearly three years, under some

intense conditions and it is right that we should across this House pay

tribute to them. Is here about the next stage of this

campaign. Also has not fallen and there is a pocket of resistance.

Appear of our Tornado and Typhoon were over the city yesterday. There

is still work to be done. There will be work to be done to assist the

Iraqi forces in the capture of Tal Afar and in the campaign. The

campaign goes on. It might become more complex as Daesh spreads out

and moves to some of the less populated areas. Yasmine about the

Amnesty report which I have not seen. I would certainly recommend he

heeds the words of the deputy Coalition commander. I can reassure

the host that so far as our own participation in the Coalition air

strikes we carry out, these are absolutely lawful and are conducted

in accordance with the law of armed conflict and international

humanitarian law. We have rigorous rules of engagement. There are

robust targeting features. They are aiming to strike targets with a

weapon that is designed and a choice of weapon that is designed to

absolutely minimise the risk of civilian casualties. And legal back

afterwards to do an assessment of the blast area and whether or not

there were any unforeseen consequences. And where there are

allegations that there had been civilian casualties or the wrong

building was hit, we on the Coalition side absolutely

investigate those allegations, we publish their findings, in

distinction to what the Russians have been doing in Syria, we

investigate and publish findings and of mistakes were made or procedures

need to be corrected then that is done. But I want to assure the House

that I have seen no evidence as of yet that an RAF strike has involved

civilian casualties and I wait to see that evidence being produced. If

anybody has any evidence then it needs to be forwarded to us, as

indeed other organisations like air awards have been doing throughout

the conflict. And be ready to investigate. Otherwise I would urge

extreme caution in the handling of the Amnesty report. The honourable

gentleman asked me about the border area between Iraq and Syria, it is

that metal bit of the Euphrates River valley where we anticipate

Daesh will coalesce having been driven out of rancour and Syria

eventually and from morsel and tell far in Iraq. And our training effort

will now of course be Iraq from the training we do that Al acid airbase

in Amla province, to improve the capability of the Iraqi forces to

police their border having secured it. And we will be doing more of

that in conjunction with our other allies. Yasmine about the campaign

in Syria. We will continue with air strikes. Yesterday appear of our

aircraft were in action at the edge of Iraq are assisting that campaign.

There is a lot of work to be done before Raqqa is liberated and other

towns in the Euphrates River Valley remain under Daesh control.

Certainly the air campaign, the Intel gathering, will probably

become more important as Daesh eventually start to disburse around

some of these smaller towns. Finally, he asked me about metallic

recognition. I think the whole house would want to see this huge effort

properly rewarded. I am awaiting final advice from the military and I

hope to make an announcement on that shortly. Me I firstly say to the

Secretary of State that the reason why surely these cities have not

been liberated sooner is because of the care that has been taken in the

targeting of the area of bombardment? But does he accept that

whereas the intervention with air strikes in Iraq was noncontroversial

because we are prepared to see the army of the Iraqi government win,

the same does not apply in Syria? Can he tell the House apart from the

Kurdish elements in Syria, who else does he expect to run the country

when Daesh's land is taken from it? If not the Syrian government, with

or without Assad? Let me repeat your congratulations to my right

honourable friend on resuming his chairmanship of the select

committee. I look forward to working with him on that. We have always

differed on the nature of the Syrian campaign and I know he has had

reservations on it. I think he is right to recognise the difference.

We are not working with the Syrian regime, however we do want to see

Daesh driven out of Syria. It remains a threat in Syria to this

country and needs to be defeated in Syria. But of course as he says we

then need those parts of Syria returned to civilian control and a

control that is properly involving the Arab population. That is all

part of the process we are encouraging in Geneva. The solution

lies in Arab led governments committee is right. Can I also thank

the Defence Secretary for his statement and to put on record the

tribute of the SNP to the forces involved in liberating morsel to the

extent it has? And extend our congratulations to the right

honourable gentleman, the chair of the Defence Select Committee on his

real action? The whole house will welcome the diminished status that

tend to know his. Pass there is a difference of opinion in how to

defeat them. There are two mac specific areas of concern I would

liken to address. One concerns the dramatic rise in the past few weeks

in civilian casualties. In June alone, there has been a 52% increase

in comparison to the month of May. Somewhere between 529 and 744,

according to air awards whom he mentions in response to the shadow

minister. Can the Minister outline if you will make a commitment to

greater scrutiny and transparency on that. Will he ensure that there is

dedicated mechanisms within operation shader for UK forces. I

have written to him specifically about this. The 2015 mandate of this

House was very clearly about targeting Daesh, nobody else in

Syria. I tried to get some clarity from him on Monday. I don't know if

he misunderstood my question, but I didn't get the clarity are seeking.

Will he confirm that mandate in 2015 to target Daesh stands? And the

government has no plans to expand that target to any other actor. If

it does, as the US president seems to wish the United Kingdom to do, it

will only happen on the back of a debate and vote for members of the

House? I'm grateful to the tribute he has paid to our Armed Forces. It

is worth reminding us that the Scottish Nationalist Party against

military action in Iraq and Syria. It's all very well to see the now

welcome the fact that Daesh has been defeated in Iraq, without air power

and British air power, how much longer would Daesh have continued to

behead people, to shoot people, to throw people off buildings without

the involvement of 68 countries around the world? But without the

support of the Scottish Nationalists. I think he should just

reflect on that. So far as ten are concerned, yes we work with them

when they have allegations and they suspect they might have been British

aircraft in the air at the time. Look at the information, we

investigated, so far we haven't found any evidence of civilian

casualties being caused by British strike, but we continue to work with

Air Wars. We also carry out up battle damage assessment to see what

effect the strike has had. He is quite right to speak about the

increase of British casualties in the final weeks of the battle in

West morsel. A highly compact city. Very densely populated with Daesh

shooting hostages if they tried to escape. A kind of tense urban

warfare we have not seen and not been involved in since probably the

Second World War. A very complex military operation. I pay tribute to

those involved in doing the job and the skill of our pilots alongside

the rest of the Coalition. Yasmine about the on Monday. I signed a

letter yesterday. It gives clarity on the point he raises. Is the

expectation of sufficient reform in Iraq realistic? Yes indeed. The

government itself is representative of all parts of Iraq. The president

is a my opposite number is a SUNY. The government is genuinely

represents a. But it has work to do regarding some provinces in the

West. They must feel part of Moder in Iraq and will be protected from

any kind of sheer aggression which they have suffered from in the past.

The government has lasted longer than some critics originally

suggested. The Secretary of State referred twice regarding the

negotiations in Geneva. He didn't mention the Russian tackiest Iranian

initiative and the Astana Kazakhstan meeting. What is the British

Government's assessment of the role of that process and the fact it

seems to be undermining efforts in Geneva? We support any genuine

efforts to reduce violence in Syria and bring the civil war to an end.

Not able to endorse the process for a number of reasons... We want the

kind of pluralistic governance in Syria that we now have in Iraq. And

one that does not require further interference from Iran. I was

delighted to share my honourable friend referring to the need for

inclusive politics Post a morsel in order to win the peace, as well as

the war in Iraq. Can he assure the House that the government is going

to keep up pressure on the regime saw the new governor of morsel fully

respect the rights of all populations living there?

Absolutely, and unequivocal yes. It is so important now that the city

administrations and the governments themselves get engaged in this

process of political reconciliation. I continue to do that. My Foreign

Office colleagues continue to urge that on the government as a

precondition for the kind of reconciliation we want to see. Can I

welcome the liberation of morsel and paid tribute to members of our Armed

Forces who have been involved? Because of the tactics of Daesh, the

costs in infrastructure to the people of morsel has been great.

Kenny outline what actions will be taking to improve infrastructure of

morsel and to allow the return of refugees who have fled their in the

past few years? We have seen an encouraging number

of people returning to East Mosul in large numbers. Markets are reopening

and schools are beginning to reopen as well. East Mosul, West Mosul has

been much more badly damaged than East Mosul and there is a huge

amount of reconstruction to be done there. That will be led through the

United nation 's development programme, to their own coordinator,

but we will be playing our part in that, both financially and in terms

of the organisation of that rebuilding programme as well. RAF

pilots and service personnel have played a vital role in this

coalition campaign, particularly my constituents flying from RAF

Coningsby. Does my right honourable friend join me in thanking my

constituents who have taken part in the operation and can he explain

please be vital role that the RAF plays in ensuring freedom of

movement on the ground enabling Iraqi forces to combat Daesh? I am

grateful to my honourable friend. It is right that we pay tribute to the

RAF and not just the pilots, who are always mentioned on occasions like

this, but the huge numbers of other members of the RAF, the aircrew,

those who service the players and guard them and those involved in

intelligence work, studying and preparing the targets. It has been a

massive effort. We have seen the our area -- we have seen the RAAF work

at its highest tempo for over a quarter of this entry. The role of

the RAF has been huge. It is noticeable that of the strikes that

were not conducted by the United States in Mosul, over 60% of them

were conducted by the RAF and not by any other country, simply because of

the precision of our pilots, the intelligence in targeting and the

precision of the weapons chosen for each of those strikes, but the RAF

will be involved in support as we see Daesh moving out of these areas.

Can I join the secretary of state in paying tribute to the men and women

of our Armed Forces and the civilians that support them. Since

the last review took place, there has been a change to our national

security context, a general election and a referendum where Britain has

decided to leave the European Union. Plans to government now have two --

what plans do the government have two conduct a strategic security

review? The campaign in Iraq is not over and has many months to run. I

expect British personnel to be involved until 2018, and the

situation in Syria is even more complex. The last strategic review

was 18 months ago. The threat it says -- the great it set out the...

That review did not forecast the referendum of the result of the

referendum. I don't think we can blame defence intelligence for that.

A lot of people did not protect that event, but it was only 18 months ago

and of course we will have a look and see whether any of it needs any

kind of refresh. The role played by British Armed Forces in mentoring

and training Iraqi forces has been critical. What plans do we have for

continuing this support for the Iraqi military into the future? I am

grateful to my honourable friend and I pay tribute to his own service. We

are in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government. Everything we have

been doing as part of this coalition has been with the authority and at

the request an invitation of the Iraqi government and I would

anticipate, although we have not been into these discussions, that

they would welcome the continuance of the coalition's training effort

and support in deed of air power until Daesh is completely eliminated

from its borders. We all welcome the progress made in defeating Daesh in

Mosul and Raqqa and pay tribute to the bravery and tenacity of the

forces on the ground and in the air in liberating so many people from

Daesh's yoke. The secretary of state in great detail the detail the

effort the RAF makes to avoid civilian casualties. Is he satisfied

that all of our partners in the air campaign on making the same effort

to avoid civilian casualties? Well the RAF -- world there are different

rules of engagement for each country involved in this particular

campaign. It is perfectly true there have been targets offered discussed

within the coalition that we have chosen not to take and not to strike

because of the rules that we apply. So each country approaches this in a

slightly different way. However, so far as air strikes are concerned,

the principal air forces involved are all working together all in the

same headquarters and we have seen the walls that have been applied

coming closer together over the duration of the campaign. It is

worth saying finally that it is not possible to liberate a densely

populated city like Mosul without sadly civilian casualties. That is

simply not possible in those casualties of course have been made

much worse by Daesh's policy of holding civilians hostage in

buildings, shooting people trying to escape and generally making the

population continue to suffer. Elijah with the secretary of state

in paying tribute to the Armed Forces and can he reassure me that

he is working closely with my right honourable friend for Bedfordshire

Northeast, whom we all welcome back to the front bench, and with our

allies in the region to ensure that as Daesh is pushed back, its

fighters are contained and not displaced to pop up elsewhere in the

region? Yes, this is an increasing part of the work of the counter

Daesh coalition in which I participate so far as the defence

effort is concerned, but my right honourable friend the Foreign

Secretary and my colleague the Minister for the Middle East

participate in in terms of foreign policy. We work across the coalition

to ensure we can share intelligence on returning fighters, that we can

explore how the Daesh leadership can now be held properly to account, let

us not forget those British hostages who were beheaded two or three years

ago and that where possible, those who committed these most heinous

crimes can now be brought to justice. With more Yazidi women

being freed this week with the liberation of Mosul, I wonder if the

Secretary of State could say something about the particular case

of the Yazidis and whether the government can come to a conclusion

as to whether the treatment by Daesh is genocide? We are continuing to

look for more evidence, specifically in relation to the Yazidis. We are

accumulating evidence across the board as well so that those who are

eventually detained can be properly held to account and that is

something we are working at across the coalition. Will my right

honourable friend join me in paying particular tribute to the Kurdish

Peshmerga services who made an outstanding contribution in the

defeat of Daesh and can he confirm that we are giving them all the

support in training and weaponry and also medical care for the wounded?

Is there not a case to provide specialist care here in the UK for

the most badly wounded? I know the Minister for the Middle East is

looking at that specific point, but I would also like to pay tribute to

them and what has been an all Iraq effort. There has not been a

distinction as people feared. The campaign to liberate Mosul was

conducted by agreement between the different parts of the Iraqi forces

and has been done so successfully. We did our part in training the

Peshmerga and we train them so that the number of casualties could be

reduced. Can I welcome the secretary of state's statements and agree with

him that part of, an important part of moving forward is to counter the

ideology of Daesh. One of the most eloquent ways that can happen is by

demonstrating through the reconstruction of Mosul and Raqqa

through the establishments of law and order and security for the

people who live there that there are better systems of governing than

those provided by Isil? Absolutely and that must be central to the work

of stabilisation and reconciliation, that we have a form of governance in

Mosul and the Council there and the wider provincial government that is

genuinely representative of all interest in Mosul, and Mosul is a

very complexity. All those living there need a proper stake in its

future and we don't see the kind of conditions emerge under which

something like Daesh can flourish. I would like to join others in

welcoming the statements from the Secretary of State today and the

liberation of Mosul. But as Daesh is defeated, I wonder if the Secretary

of State can explain what steps have been taken by government to deal

with the threat of dangerous individuals who seek to return to

the UK? Part of the work that is being done in the coalition is to

recover sensitive material in both Mosul and Raqqa as the Civic

Democratic forces move into Raqqa to recover the kind of sensitive

material that will enable us to track down some particularly those

British foreign fighters who have been based in either city, or indeed

for a fighters in those cities who have been involved in external

attack planning against the cities of western Europe. We are urgently

trying to recover that material which will enable us to identify

more of those who are involved in that kind of planning and therefore

ensure that they are detained and properly held to account. On the

same theme, the Minister, the Secretary of State referred to

Interpol. We note that would-be capacity returnees from Iraq,

welcome though the liberation of Mosul is, this does close challenge

to our already overstretched intelligence and counterterrorism

services. Camber secretary of the state of the house that he

the government 's -- Camber Secretary of State tell the House

that resources will be forthcoming. We are working with police forces

across the region to share intelligence and we will have better

information when they attempt to cross the border back into Western

Europe and that we each understand how we are likely now to prosecute

those who have been involved in the fighting. Will my honourable friend

agreed that we should pay special tribute to the Kurdistan region

because they are building democracy and they have a rule of law and they

played a huge part in defeating Daesh. Can he guarantee that we will

do everything to build the emerging democracy? : I congratulate my

honourable friend for his election to the chair of the education

committee. We want to see the economy of that region improve and

the stability of the region improve. The future of Iraq in the end is for

the Iraqi people to determine. The fact that there is currently no

evidence that there has been a single civilian casualty from an RAF

strike in this campaign is extraordinary and commendable, but

further to the question that my right honourable friend asked, what

influence can be UK Armed Forces play on some of our coalition

partners where clearly the rules of engagement have been different and

the civilian death toll has been higher.

I was very careful, I hope, to remind the House that this is war.

Whilst we do everything is a Coalition to try and minimise the

risk of civilian casualties, it is not possible to eliminate the risk

entirely when you are freeing or trying to free cities from this kind

of terrorism. I was equally careful to say there is no evidence yet of

an RAF strike. I'm not claiming that it might never be the case, but so

far no evidence has been presented to us. We work across the Coalition

with the other countries involved in air strikes to ensure that broadly

we are applying the same rules of engagement and are selecting the

same targets. Institutions like mosques and hospitals are on our no

strike risks and so on. When you have investigated it, you want to

try to publish the findings. When you have investigated it, you need

to set out how it will be put right. The atrocities of Daesh have failed

to deliver the so-called caliphate. As they are flushed out of morsel,

they will convene in other parts of Iraq and Syria. We must recognise

our military will continue to play a role in defeating Daesh for a

considerable time to come. The military campaign is not over yet in

Iraq or indeed in Syria. We have every interest in staying the course

because we need to keep our country safe. There are people still in Iraq

itself who wish as harm. We want to carry out -- in Raqqa itself. We

must not rest until the threat is removed. We must pay attention to

what the Iraqi authorities want and the scale of the training they may

now require. It is good to see so many people joining for my question.

I want to add my tribute to our amazing Armed Forces who have acted

with bravery and dedication during this conflict. Given the special

role the Army has played in training and the depth and breadth of

complexity in operations the Army now faces in this theatre and around

the world, with the Secretary of State agree with me this would be

the wrong time to reduce the number of our regular army personnel? And

grateful to the tribute EP to our Armed Forces. He will have heard

earlier what I said on the issue of metallic recognition for this

particular campaign. We have no plans to cut the size of our Army.

Our manifesto commitment was clear. We will maintain the size of our

Armed Forces. Thank you. The liberation of morsel is a very

significant moment in our battle against Daesh. With the Secretary of

State agree with me the real victory will be the creation of a modern

Iraq a state which is capable of governing itself for all the people

of Iraq and making sure that it resists any infiltration by Daesh as

we clear it out of Iraqi territory? I absolutely agree. That kind of

moderate Iraqi state my honourable friend aspires to would not only of

course reduce any threat to our country but it would be good for the

region and the stability of the region as well. Iraq is already a

democracy, a fragile democracy, but it is a democracy. It has called on

its friends and allies around the world. And I welcome the Minister's

statement and thank him for his commitment and leadership and to our

soldiers for the significant contribution they made to delivering

the peace? Peshmerga have been out part of the forces defeating Daesh.

They seek the release of monies held in Baghdad for reconstruction. In

other words, to deliver the transition to new governance

protecting the rights of everyone. With the Minister agree to these

issues being done right away? I'm grateful for the personal words with

which he began. There are discussions now under way between

the Kurdish authorities and the authorities in Baghdad on precisely

those issues. We encourage them. In the end, this has to be further our

disputes of this Kangas has to be resolved the different parties. The

progress militarily in morsel is welcome. But the poisonous ideology

that underpins Isil still continues. What is happening about any of those

who choose to return home so we can apprehend them and make sure they

are not a danger to UK citizens? On the first point, we have not yet

defeated the virtual caliphate. It is important we know across the

Coalition intensify our efforts to destroy that caliphate in cyberspace

as effectively as we are beginning to undermine it in Iraq itself.

Sarfaraz Khan returning fighters are concerned, it is predominantly a

matter for the Home Secretary. However, fighting and working for

Daesh, it is a proscribed organisation, fighting for Daesh is

a criminal offence. With those people can be properly prosecuted,

they will be charged on their return. In December 2015, we were

assured that with the support of UK in air strikes, we could expect to

see a traditional government in Syria in six months and there were a

ground troops ready to carry out operations? How many of those 70,000

ground troops ever actually existed? Of course we want to see Syria moves

towards a new political settlement and we continue to encourage that.

So far as the existence of moderate armed opposition in Syria is

concerned, I'm sure the honourable member understands this civil war

would not be in its seventh year if there had not been formidable

moderate armed opposition to the Syrian regime. Who does he think has

been fighting Assad? But during this time, since December 2015, it is

important to recognise the progress that has been made in reducing Daesh

itself. In reducing the amount of Syrian territory that it holds, in

starting the battle to defeat it in its capital in Raqqa and thus

overall to reduce the threat that Daesh posies to the United Kingdom.

And I'm only sorry that although we have the support of 67 other

countries round-the-world trip we did not have the support of the

Scottish National Party. Eye to welcome the Secretary of State's

statement. I welcome his comment about reducing the risk in the

number of civilian casualties. Perhaps the benefit of those who

have just entered the chamber committee could repeat the number of

civilian casualties and repeat his confirmation and assurance he will

do all he can to reduce further such risks in future? And grateful to my

honourable friend, but I'm not sure the Speaker would welcome me

repeating a statement have already given. What I want to emphasise I

believe it is because of the rules of engagement we set, because of the

careful use of intelligence and reconnaissance from the air, because

of the skill of our pilots and because of the precision of the

weapons that are selected for each strike that we are able to say to

the best of our knowledge we have not caused significant civilian

casualties on the ground. Thank you. I'd like to join with the Secretary

of State and members of all parties in praising the work of our men and

women in all three services. Does he agree the important and prominent

role played by the air force and navy highlights our important role

in assisting United States? The US has led this Coalition and I was

able to review the next steps in Iraq and Syria when I met the United

States Defence Secretary in Washington last Friday. He and his

predecessor played a key role in leading this Coalition. They are,

like us, we want to see us move on in Iraq to the work of stabilisation

and reconciliation that must follow the military campaign. I to pay

tribute to all those who have served so diligently to make such progress.

My honourable friend rightly mentioned in closing his statement

today the determination we need to battle this warped ideology and make

the long-term stability in the region. But what we assurance can

give to my constituents and all communities across the UK that this

government is determined to share intelligence through Brexit and

beyond to keep us all safer? Absolutely. We have made it clear

that beyond Brexit we want to continue the various arrangements

there are four security cooperation across Europe, including

coordination between our intelligence agencies and the work

of police in tracking foreign fighters. It is only by working

together that we can ensure that this ideology is defeated, not

simply in Iraq but on the wider basis. I am returning to the

question of the skill of our pilots in terms of avoiding civilian

casualties wherever possible. Could you please confirm this extends down

to the selection of hot and cold targets, so that targets can be

changed even at the last moment to avoid those casualties? Well, yes,

these are operational matters for decision by our commanders out in

the Gulf. But these are things that they keep under review before each

mission is planned and well each mission is being carried out. And we

had evidence of that yesterday in the strikes that a pair of Tornado

and typhoons together took in both Raqqa and morsel on the same day.

Thank you. I welcome the Secretary of State's statement. Like him, I

welcome the fact the RAF played a key role in defeating Daesh on the

battlefield. My concern is that they will now become a real organisation.

What support will be given to assist local forces to assist them with a

gorilla War zone? In strengthening their police, not

simply the military so they are better equipped to deal with the

threat of insurgency when the final remnants of Daesh go underground,

particularly in the Euphrates River Valley. Defeating Daesh in one of

its time capital is is a key step in demolishing the myth of a caliphate.

In the statement, he also refers to undermining positive ideology

elsewhere -- poisonous ideology. Were working with colleagues in the

Coalition to deal with the extremist ideology. Were working to counteract

it in cyberspace, taking down messages posted in the air, and were

working at home on steps to improve the de-radicalisation effort where

extremism exists in colleges or in the mosques and elsewhere. We work

with the Muslim community to make sure it is properly recognised and

tackled. I'd like to ask the Secretary of

State, the war against Daesh is a complex form of unconventional

warfare, cyber, propaganda, whatever, can my right honourable

friend ensure this war will be properly studied and lessons

learned? There is a tendency to see unconventional warfare as a one-off

but it is more becoming the norm? That is a very important point and I

hope that is recognised in the strategic review we carried out in

2015. This is a war that has had to be fought using the full spectrum of

responses, fought predominantly by local forces but requiring a

spectrum of responses across the political domains and it's very

important that we recognise this may well become the kind