Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that British forces based in Iraq shot down two Iranian drones overnight.
The incident occurred at a coalition base in the Iraqi city of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, where some drones hit the base and injured a number of US troops. According to Healey, there were no British casualties.
Brigadier Guy Foden stated that the base, as well as another in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, were struck multiple times on Wednesday night. British personnel are currently in Erbil helping to defend the base.
Police and Military Response
Healey mentioned that since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, US bases in Iraq have been targeted in retaliation. The Western base in Erbil is controlled by the US but often houses other forces, including British troops.
Foden said British forces shot down two UAVs coming out of the camp, but a number of UAVs did impact the camp. Healey added that a British team has been involved in Iraq since Iran began hitting back indiscriminately at countries across the Middle East.
Investigation and International Involvement
During a briefing at the UK's military headquarters in Northwood, Lieutenant General Nick Perry told Healey that there were definitively signs of a link between Russia and Iran in the way attack drones are being used.
Healey later stated that Iranian drone attacks have the hallmark of the way Russia is attacking Ukraine, adding that Putin's hidden hand is likely behind some of the Iranian tactics.
Ongoing Military Operations
The UK flew air combat patrols over Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to a number of sorties over Qatar, overnight. RAF jets also continued to fly in defence of Cyprus with European allies in the region.
Healey added that the UK had clocked up more than 300 pilot flying hours over the last 13 days. A British warship, HMS Dragon, is still on its way to the Mediterranean.
