Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) is prepared to launch airstrikes in Afghanistan, targeting the resurgent Daesh group in the country, the RAF’s chief said following rocket attacks in Kabul.
While the UK had finished its withdrawal from Afghanistan the day before, the head of the Royal Air Force told The Daily Telegraph the UK could be involved in strikes against Islamic State Khorasan - or ISIS-K.
RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: "Ultimately what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh [ISIS], whether it's strike, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale, and at speed."
He added: "If there's an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to - that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies.
The resurgent international efforts to combat Daesh come as US analysts warned that the terror threat is “real, active, and in many cases specific.”
ISIS-K was responsible for the suicide bombing attacks which killed almost 200 people - including two British citizens - at Kabul airport last week.
While the UK had finished its withdrawal from Afghanistan the day before, the head of the Royal Air Force told The Daily Telegraph the UK could be involved in strikes against Islamic State Khorasan - or ISIS-K.
RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: "Ultimately what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh [ISIS], whether it's strike, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale, and at speed."
He added: "If there's an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to - that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies.
The resurgent international efforts to combat Daesh come as US analysts warned that the terror threat is “real, active, and in many cases specific.”
ISIS-K was responsible for the suicide bombing attacks which killed almost 200 people - including two British citizens - at Kabul airport last week.
