BICOM

Prime Minister Theresa May warned that ISIS may try to establish itself in another country after its defeat in Iraq and Syria during her visit to Iraq yesterday.

Speaking to UK military personnel at the Taji base, north of Baghdad, May said: “We do need to ensure that we address the possibility of individuals from Daesh trying to set up elsewhere, and that is about ensuring there are no unstable areas where they can set up.”

The Prime Minister also stressed the need to “ensure that their hateful material is not being spread across the internet and inspiring others to conduct attacks”.

Speaking to Sky News, May emphasised the need for cooperation between the UK and the Iraqi Government as partners against insurgency, saying: “We need to continue to work with the Iraqi forces to ensure that they are able to provide the security and stability for the country in future.” The Prime Minister announced that £10m of funding to boost Iraq’s counter-terrorism capability over the next three years.

She also visited the Global Coalition operations centre before meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad. Abadi thanked May for Britain’s support in training, logistics and intelligence, saying: “Her visit is proof of the United Kingdom’s support in the fight against Daesh.”

The UK has around 600 military personnel stationed in Iraq, mainly training Iraqi forces. The Independent reported these personnel have trained more than 60,000 Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers in improvised explosive device detection, medicine and infantry techniques.

Over the past three years, RAF Typhoon and Tornado jets and Reaper drones have carried out more than 1,600 air strikes against ISIS targets, in addition to conducting surveillance, reconnaissance and refuelling missions.

Theresa May is the first British Prime Minister to visit Iraq since Gordon Brown. She is also visiting Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

May will set out her vision for the UK’s post-Brexit role in the region in a major speech in Jordan.