UK's RAF delivers military support to Iraq

C-130 aircraft from the UK's Royal Air Force have helped deliver much-needed military equipment to Iraq to assist those in the north of the country combating ISIL extremists.
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Last night the RAF delivered 11 tonnes of equipment directly to Erbil in two C-130 Hercules aircraft. This consisted of 7.62mm ammunition provided by other nations and body armour helmets and sleeping bags provided by the UK.
RAF C-17 aircraft have also transported a range of non-lethal support, to be gifted by the UK to Iraq, to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus which will be transported on to the Kurdish forces.
Britain’s Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “The RAF continues to deliver badly needed equipment and supplies to the region. This equipment will assist the Peshmerga forces battling the insurgents in Northern Iraq and we will continue to support the Iraqis in their fight against the barbaric ISIL terrorists.”
The UK has so far committed $36 million in new assistance in response to the crisis in Iraq. The RAF has made seven successful air drops of UK aid over Mount Sinjar including water containers, solar lamps and shelter kits. In addition to this, the Department for International Development has made six humanitarian aid flights directly into Erbil.