Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Stephenson Excerpts

Monday 7th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Sir Michael Fallon]

I do not think it is right to compare one particular armoured vehicle with a completely different type of armoured vehicle. What is important is to look at our armoured vehicles and our combat systems as a whole across the range that we have deployed and are going to deploy, including the new Ajax armoured vehicle.

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

10. What recent assessment he has made of progress in the military campaign against Daesh.

[Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP)]

16. What progress has been made in the military campaign against Daesh.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael Fallon)]

In Iraq, operations to liberate Mosul are continuing to make good progress, with Iraqi forces reaching the outskirts of the city. In Syria, the Manbij pocket has been closed, restricting Daesh’s access to the Turkish border, through which they were bringing in fighters, and in September they were expelled from the culturally significant town of Dabiq.

[Andrew Stephenson]

The military success against Daesh in Iraq is to be welcomed. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that after the eventual liberation of Mosul we will continue to support Iraqi forces in their fight to defeat Daesh?

[Sir Michael Fallon]

Yes. The Iraqi security forces, including the peshmerga, are playing the primary role in the fight against Daesh in Iraq, but the support and training provided by the global coalition, including the United Kingdom, has been a key contributor to their success. This fight will not end with the liberation of Mosul, nor will United Kingdom support.