UK extends Iraqi air campaign against Islamic State to 2017

UK will extend its Iraqi air campaign against Islamic State militants until March 2017, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced on Tuesday.

"Our Tornado [aircraft] squadrons have proved their worth in the air campaign because of the precision weapons they have and because of the reconnaissance and surveillance that they carry out when they're not striking," Fallon told BBC radio.

Although the UK's initial plans were to maintain Tornados in operation until March 2016, a recent visit to Iraq by Fallon made the government extend the period.

Read more: UK adds spy plane to fight against Islamic State

British PM David Cameron recently labelled Islamic State as "one of the biggest threats our world has faced,” while Fallon commented the UK was conducting its “new Battle of Britain" against "a fascist enemy".

The UK has become the second largest national contributor to the military campaign, which is being led by the US.

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