British airstrikes eliminate over 1,000 IS fighters, MoD confirms

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that British aircraft have carried out more than one thousand air strikes against so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria, without causing any civilian casualties. The MoD has maintained that UK forces were able to operate via the highest level of accuracy, thanks to precise, low collateral weapons systems and thorough intelligence. An MoD spokesperson said: “We can’t completely eliminate the risk of civilian casualties but we carefully mitigate that risk through strict targeting procedures. “The evidence from detailed assessments of each strike is that we’ve avoided any civilian casualties so far in this conflict. That includes additional investigation of any allegations made by airwars, where sufficient information is provided. “In a handful of cases, the information provided has simply been too vague to determine where the alleged events took place.” Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “Daesh (ISIL) is firmly on the back foot. RAF jets are hitting them hard, driving them back and helping local forces recapture territory. "This vital work is freeing innocent civilians from a brutal regime, while keeping our streets safe at home.”