Troop numbers bolstered in Iraq

British troop numbers in Iraq are being bolstered as the fight to wipe out Islamic State in the area enters its final push, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Some 44 Royal Engineers are being sent to Al Asad airbase in Anbar province, western Iraq, Sir Michael Fallon said. It takes the number of British personnel at the camp to more than 300 and the total in Iraq to around 600.

IS, also known as Isis and Daesh, is on the verge of collapse in Iraq. Mosul was retaken by Iraqi forces last month and in recent days it has been losing its grip on Tal Afar, a stronghold in the north west.

Troops from 5 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 22 Engineer Regiment, in Tidworth are being deployed for six months to build infrastructure.