‘Decisive’ US air strikes in response to Scot’s death
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has welcomed US air strikes on Iraq as a “swift, decisive and proportionate” response to a missile attack that killed and injured British and American troops.
The Pentagon said US fighter jets on Thursday struck five locations in targeting the Iranian-backed Shiite militia blamed for the attack that killed Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon.
The 26-year-old from Ayr, who served as a Reserve with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, died after a dozen missiles were fired at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, on Wednesday.
Two US servicemen were also killed in the attack and 14 other military personnel were injured, according to the US defence department.
In response, five weapons storage facilities were targeted to hinder the Kataib Hezbollah paramilitary group carrying out further attacks, the department said.
Mr Raab said: “The response to the cowardly attack on coalition forces in Iraq has been swift, decisive and proportionate. We will continue working with our partners to ensure those responsible for these deplorable acts will be held to account.” Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also welcomed the US strike.
“The coalition stands shoulder to shoulder in Iraq.
“Our forces work together to help the country resist the malign activity of terrorists,” he said.
“When we and others are attacked, we reserve the right to defend ourselves.
“We support the right of the United States to defend themselves, as they have done tonight.
“We reiterate that those who seek to harm our armed forces can expect to receive a strong response.”
L/cpl Gillon was killed while volunteering as part of the Irish Guards Battle Group during their deployment to Iraq, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.
She joined the regiment in September 2015 as a combat medical technician, before qualifying as a class 1 combat medical technician in 2018.
Lieutenant Colonel William Leek, commanding officer Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, said she was a “hugely popular character”, adding that he was “proud and humbled” to have served alongside her.
He said: “She was a larger-than-life soldier who was determined to deploy on operations, help others, develop herself and gain practical experience.
“She had already achieved a great deal in her relatively short time with us and it was abundantly clear that she was destined for great things in her civilian and military careers. Her loss is keenly felt.
“My deepest condolences go to her family and loved ones. They are in my thoughts and prayers, and those of the wider regimental family.”
Major General Celia Harvey, deputy commander field army, said L/cpl Gillon was fulfilling a “long-term ambition” to serve on an operational tour in Iraq.
The attack coincided with what would have been the birthday of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in January.
The same month, the MOD said there were around 400 personnel in Iraq across three main bases.