‘End game’ for IS in Mosul, says Michael Fallon

The so-called Islamic State is facing its ‘end game’ in Mosul, the Defence Secretary has said. Sir Michael Fallon said the RAF, in support of the liberation of Mosul by Iraqi forces, had hit more than 700 targets. It is also facing its end in its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa. His words came before a Nato meeting where he is expected to confirm 85 more UK troops will be sent to Afghanistan to train. There are already 500 British personnel in the country. The RAF is now working at its highest operational tempo in 25 years as the US-led coalition against IS has stepped up in airstrikes in recent months. UK forces hitting 69 targets in support of Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa means that there is ‘irreversible momentum and progress’ towards the defeat of IS, Fallon concluded.