British military claims drones killed 305 ISIS fighters in 1yr, no civilian casualties

Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) claims 305 Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) militants have been killed in UK drone strikes in Iraq in the last year, resulting in zero civilian deaths.

Reaper drones have carried out more than 200 strikes since November 2014 as part of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) combat operation.

Responding to a Freedom of Information request by the International Business Times, the MoD said: “To date there have been no known cases of civilian casualties resulting from UK strikes in Iraq. All strikes take place in accordance with UK Rules of Engagement and applicable law.”

The RAF maintains its drone weapons are precise and that every effort is made to minimize the risks of civilian casualties.
That process, the RAF says, may include “deciding not to release a weapon.”

“UK Reaper is not an autonomous system and does not have the capability to employ weapons unless it is commanded to do so by the flight crew,” they claim.

The report comes as Prime Minister David Cameron detailed his plans for further intervention in Syria in the House of Commons.

Cameron argued UK involvement in coalition airstrikes involving the US, France, Turkey and “Arab allies” would “mean greater military effect against ISIL” and speed up progress towards a “better future” for Syria.

MPs grilled the PM on his proposals, with several questioning his claim there are 70,000 moderate Sunni soldiers on the ground in Syria who will manage the territory gained through airstrikes.

Veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner passionately urged the House to “keep out.”