May thanks troops for helping to ‘crush’ IS

THERESA May yesterday thanked British troops for helping to ‘crush’ Islamic State’s so-called caliphate.

Speaking to troops at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the Prime Minister said the terror group no longer held significant territory in Iraq and Syria.

She thanked RAF personnel for their efforts in protecting British citizens at home, adding: ‘You are quite simply the pride of our nation.’

Mrs May visited the base, which carries out deadly bombing raids on jihadists, on the last day of a whistle-stop tour of Europe.

In a speech to 100 troops, she said: ‘Just three years ago Daesh

‘The pride of our nation’

[IS] declared a caliphate in Iraq and Syria, a safe haven in which to carry out the most barbaric acts and ... to plot murder on our streets at home.

‘But today, thanks in very large part to your efforts, the so-called caliphate has been crushed and no longer holds significant territory. You should be incredibly proud of that achievement.’

RAF Top Guns intercepted the Prime Minister’s plane yesterday as part of a training exercise normally saved for the Russians.

Mrs May watched from the cockpit as two Typhoon fighter jets tipped their wings and revealed their arsenal of weapons, later refuelling in mid-air.

The Typhoons are normally tasked with intercepting Russian bombers which fly close to UK airspace.

Mrs May said: ‘I am delighted to have the opportunity to see our pilots and crew in action.’