To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to increase the number of British troops deployed to Iraq.
Answered on
2 February 2017
The UK has no current plans to increase the number of troops deployed in Iraq. However, we keep this under review to ensure we have the right number of troops deployed with the appropriate permissions to support the training of Iraqi forces.
Iraqi forces are becoming increasingly capable and are deployed across the country in counter-Daesh roles. As the Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon) announced on 30 January 2017 (Official Report, column 656), he recently authorised UK personnel to deliver training where needed at secure and protected locations in Iraq in addition to training at the main bases of Besmayah, Taji and Al Asad. This aligns with our approach in the Kurdish region and ensures UK personnel will continue to deliver the infantry skills, counter-IED, combat first aid and engineering training Iraqi forces require.