UK resumes training of Syrian opposition to fight ISIL

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced has announced that UK personnel will train members of vetted moderate Syrian opposition groups in infantry, medical and explosive hazard awareness skills as part of the counter Daesh (ISIL) campaign. Up to twenty UK personnel are set to deploy to locations outside Syria to provide vetted members of moderate Syrian opposition groups with the skills they need to continue to take the fight to ISIL. Following the advance on Mosul in Iraq, UK troops will help improve the capabilities of vetted members of the moderate Syrian opposition, and to generate greater numbers of trained moderate Syrian opposition fighters to contribute to the counter Daesh (ISIL) campaign. The training will focus on basic infantry tactics, command and control, explosive hazard awareness training (EHAT) and medical training. Fallon said: “Daesh (ISIL) are the back foot. The RAF is already playing a leading role in the air, hitting them hard in Iraq and Syria. “Now we’re stepping up our support by training moderate opposition.”