MoD officials say "the strikes were successful" after British jets fire on an armed truck and minibus west of Baghdad.

12:03, UK,

Wednesday 01 October 2014

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British jets have hit more Islamic State targets in Iraq as calls grow for further strikes against the group's Syrian strongholds.

 

The second round of airstrikes took place overnight west of Baghdad as RAF Tornado jets worked to support Iraqi Government forces below.

 

The Tornado crews identified a suspected Islamic state command and control position and fired four Brimstone missiles at two vehicles - one of which was an armed pick-up truck.

 

The Tornados landed safely at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus before dawn.

 

The latest airstrikes were carried out by RAF Tornados based in Cyprus

 

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Initial analysis indicates that the strikes were successful."

 

It is the second time RAF fighter jets have attacked IS positions, after a team took out a heavy weapon position and another armed truck on Tuesday.

 

 

RAF Tornado GR4s were pictured over Iraq as they began their armed combat mission in support of Operation Shader

 

Despite IS also seizing territory in Syria, a vote in Parliament last Friday did not include the authorisation of airstrikes over the country.

 

But speaking at a fringe meeting at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said Cabinet ministers believe strikes against Syrian targets will also be necessary.

 

"I believe ultimately that is exactly what we will have to do ... The Prime Minister believes that. He said as much in his speech," he said.