The United Kingdom launched their first airstrikes against Islamic militants in Iraq on Tuesday, officials said. Two Royal Air Force Tornado fighter jets, launched from a base on Akrotiri in the Aegean Sea, were on an "armed reconnaissance mission ... tasked to assist Kurdish troops in northwest Iraq who were under attack from ISIL (ISIS) terrorists," Britain's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
"One Paveway IV guided bomb was used to attack the (ISIS) position," the ministry said. "Following this engagement, the patrol identified an (ISIS) armed pick-up truck in the same area and conducted an attack on the vehicle using a Brimstone missile. An initial assessment indicates that both precision strikes were successful."
The U.K. only joined the U.S.-led fight against ISIS militants on Friday when lawmakers there voted 524-43 for action — after being urgently recalled from a scheduled recess. The U.S.-led coalition has hit ISIS positions in Iraq and Syria with nearly 300 airstrikes since launching operations in August.
ISIS militants have beheaded one British hostage, David Haines, and have threatened the life of another, Alan Henning, and have used a third, John Cantlie, to deliver propaganda videos.
IN-DEPTH
- ISIS Releases New Propaganda Video of British Hostage John Cantlie
- British Fighter Jets Fly Over Iraq, Ready to Strike Against ISIS
- Britain Set to Approve Airstrikes Against ISIS in Iraq
- British Prime Minister On ISIS: 'These People Want to Kill Us
