UK jets strike ISIS oilfield as Typhoons fly their first missions

[Lacoste]

 

 

LIMASSOL, CYPRUS: Two British RAF tornado fighter jets land at RAF Akrotiri after returning from a mission over Iraq in 2014. The British Parliament voted this week to allow the jets to strike in Syria.British fighter planes have carried out their first sorties against the ISIS terrorist group in Syria. But in Iraq, the government has a message for Turkish forces who say they are fighting ISIS, as well: Please get out.
The British Ministry of Defense said its Typhoon and Tornado jets had carried out a series of airstrikes on the ISIS-controlled oilfield at Omar, in eastern Syria. The ministry's statement said the jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit wellheads as they conducted eight strikes Friday evening.
In an updated statement Saturday, the ministry said Typhoon and Tornado jets based at Akrotiri, a Royal Air Force Base on the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus, had carried out more strikes on the "very large" Omar oilfield.
The smart bombs were guided to hit wellheads to cut off ISIS' oil revenue, the ministry statement said.
"Eight attacks were carried out, and early reports suggest that they were successful," the ministry statement said. "Our aircraft then remained on patrol to collect intelligence on possible terrorist positions and be ready to strike any further targets that might be identified in eastern Syria or western Iraq."