UK extends anti-ISIS strikes by year

The UK on Tuesday announced an extention of its airstrikes against the dreaded Islamic State militant group by a year till 2017, saying that the country would continue to play its part to defeat the “barbaric regime”. The squadron of ageing Tornado GR4 fighter bombers which was due to be disbanded this year will now be kept on and used in the airstrikes, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said.

“ISIl terrorists pose a threat to security of Iraq, Syria, the wider region and to the streets of Britain. It is therefore our duty to ensure that the UK continues to play its part to defeat this barbaric regime,” Fallon said during a visit to Baghdad.