U.K. says drone strike killed three IS fighters in Syria
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 September 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.K. says drone strike killed three IS fighters in Syria, 7 September 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/561d041ac.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 07, 2015
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron says the Royal Air Force has carried out a drone strike in Syria that killed at least one British citizen planning "barbaric" attacks against Britain.
Cameron said in Parliament on September 7 that the attack – which he said killed three Islamic State (IS) fighters – was lawful and that the attorney general had approved of the attack before it was carried out.
He said the British drone strike – which occurred on August 21 – was not a part of the U.S.-led coalition's attacks on IS positions in Syria and Iraq.
It was the first time Britain has carried out such an attack.
Cameron said "In an act of self-defense ... Reyaad Khan was killed in a precision air strike" while he was travelling in a car near the IS stronghold city of Raqqa.
Cameron said the danger from IS fighters was more serious than it had ever been before and the drone attack was the only "feasible means" to deal with the threat.
He added that police and security forces have prevented at least six terror attacks in Britain in the past year.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
