Скачать или смотреть RAF warplanes launch first combat mission against Isil

Tornado jets based on Cyprus have begun their first combat mission against Islamic State militants in northern Iraq

British warplanes took off today for their first combat mission over Iraq since Parliament approved air strikes targeting the Islamic State group.

The Tornado GR4 aircraft took off from RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus on Saturday, hours after Britain joined the US-led coalition of nations that are launching air strikes against the extremists.

David Cameron said British aircraft were there to "play our part" in the international coalition being amassed against IS – also referred to as Isil or Isil (Islamic State in Iraq and Levant).

"We are one part of a large international coalition," the Prime Minister said during a visit to Didcot, Oxfordshire, ahead of the Conservative Party conference.

"But the crucial part of that coalition is that it is led by the Iraqi government, the legitimate government of Iraq, and its security forces. We are there to play our part and help deal with this appalling terrorist organisation."

Six Tornado jets have been based on Cyprus since last month but have so far been restricted to reconnaissance flights.

Get the latest headlines http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Subscribe to The Telegraph http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c...

Like us on Facebook   / telegraph.co.uk  
Follow us on Twitter   / telegraph  
Follow us on Google+ https://plus.google.com/1028913550727...

Telegraph.co.uk and    / telegraphtv   are websites of The Daily Telegraph, the UK's best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.