Latest news with #OperationShader
Scottish Sun
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Scots soldiers on ‘standby' in Cyprus amid threat from Iran and fears of more Middle East conflicts
The shock move follows escalating tensions in the region involving Israel and Donald Trump's missile strikes on Iran's nuclear stockpile. ARMY HEAD EAST Scots soldiers on 'standby' in Cyprus amid threat from Iran and fears of more Middle East conflicts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTS troops will today fly to Cyprus to be put on "standby" for more Middle East conflicts. Soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland will jet out for a two-year deployment described as a 'high-readiness standby formation'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Scottish soldiers are flying to Cyprus for a two-year deployment amid Middle East tensions Credit: Alamy 2 The shock move follows escalating tensions in the region involving Israel and Donald Trump's missile strikes on Iran's nuclear stockpile. Soldiers from the 4th Battalion will be based at the British Sovereign Base Area, Dhekelia. Their job will be to respond at short notice to conflicts across the Middle East and North Africa. They've also been tasked with supporting peacekeeping efforts and protecting key military infrastructure on the island. Captain Craig Taylor: 'Moving to Cyprus will be a big change for us, not just in terms of the climate. 'This is an exciting opportunity that soldiers have been training hard for. 'It's not a short-term tour or exercise - it's a full overseas posting which gives us the chance to experience new cultures and ways of life. 'Professionally, it sharpens our edge. We'll be held at high readiness to deploy anywhere in the region, and beyond which is of real strategic importance to the UK.' Since its formation in 2006, battalions of The Royal Regiment of Scotland have been deployed to operations in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone. It has also supported the United Nations in Cyprus, while soldiers have received a haul of gallantry medals. Glasgow City Council HACKED with fears customer data breached The 4th Battalion have been based at Catterick, Yorkshire, for the last 10 years but will now move to the holiday island - which is just 255 miles from Israel's coast. During that time, they have been able to 'put down roots' - building families and friendships, and continuing 'proud' Scottish traditions, including the Highland games. Capt Taylor added: 'We're proud of everything we've achieved here. 'But now it's time to pack up, push forward, and embed our Scottish identity into a new location.' Scots soldiers have a long history of service in the Middle East, dating back centuries. More recently, they have been a key part of Operation Shader, which involved military intervention against ISIS between 2017 and 2018. Soldiers have also contributed to Operation Tosca - the United Nation's peacekeeping force in Cyprus. The mission involves maintaining the buffer zone between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, monitoring activity, and reporting violations. We told how the Middle East was rocked earlier this month when Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran's key military and nuclear sites. Iran fired back, before the US got involved and 'obliterated' further sites in the country. A ceasefire agreement is in place, but Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned against further attacks.
Leader Live
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
British involvement in Iran-Israel conflict could end up like Iraq War, MPs warn
Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs said Britain should be wary of any involvement, as they compared it to the British invasion of Saddam Hussein's country in 2003. Intelligence on Tehran's nuclear capabilities was treated with scepticism, as one MP said the Commons should have a vote on whether to engage in any military action. It came as Foreign Secretary David Lammy said any British nationals in Israel should register with the Foreign Office, so they can receive information about how to leave the country. He said it was tougher to help British nationals in Iran due to the closed airspace. The Government has long-issued 'do not travel' advice to the country. He also said the UK had had no role in Israel's counter-strikes. Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) drew a comparison with the Tony Blair-era conflict. He said: 'A despotic Middle Eastern dictatorship, a rogue state, a terrorist state perilously close to achieving a weapon of mass destruction so serious that it could disrupt the entire region. 'Members, as well as the public listening at home, may hear echoes of 2003 in that description of current events. 'And with talk of regime change again in the air, can I ask the Foreign Secretary what he is going to do to personally talk back the authorities in Jerusalem, in Israel, because what they're doing at the moment strikes me as providing the Iranian regime with the best possible propaganda tool that they could possibly have.' Mr Lammy said: 'He's right to emphasise in his words a degree of caution. 'He will have heard what I said in the House this afternoon, which forms the bedrock of diplomacy that our officials are exercising in Israel, in Iran, and across the wider region.' Labour's Barry Gardiner (Brent West) asked the Foreign Secretary what he had done to get information from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to get a fuller picture of Iran's nuclear capabilities. He said: 'The failure to get transparent information from UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission) and UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) caused untold damage 22 years ago.' Mr Lammy said he had spoken to director general Rafael Grossi last week. Meanwhile his party colleague Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central) asked: 'Given that Israel's claims have been challenged, even by US intelligence assessments, can the Foreign Secretary assure this House that no UK military support, whether direct or indirect, will be given without the clear and explicit consent of this House and that this Government has learnt the hard lessons of Iraq and Libya and will not repeat them?' Mr Lammy said: 'Categorically, the UK is not involved in Israel strikes.' He added: 'We do have an important regional role. We have UK assets, of course, in Cyprus, we have them in Bahrain, we have them in Qatar, and we have a role, an important role in Operation Shader, where we're dealing from terrible threats to us and our allies from Daesh and other things.' It came as MPs said they feared the conflict between Israel and Iran would distract from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's forces' actions against Palestinians in Gaza. The Commons heard renewed calls for the Palestinian state to be recognised, as a UN summit in New York has been delayed by the hostilities between Jerusalem and Tehran. Conservative MP Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire) said: 'The Foreign Secretary said he was keeping his eye on Gaza. 'I'm not quite sure what that means. 'It's certainly the case that the eye of the world has been drawn to the footage that emerged as the missiles have flown of young children shot and bleeding out their lives in the sands of Gaza. 'As he said, 50 people hospitalised over the weekend or shot dead while begging for food. 'And just this morning, 38 people killed while queuing for food, or attempting to obtain food from the new American-sponsored distribution system. 'What comfort should all those bereaved families in Gaza take from the fact that he is keeping his eye on this situation?' Mr Lammy said he had met the family of a hostage who was killed by the terror group Hamas on Monday morning, who asked him to keep Gaza 'at the forefront of my mind'. He added: 'We are absolutely clear that the aid needs to get in, that those hostages need to get out, and we want to see a ceasefire.'
Rhyl Journal
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
British involvement in Iran-Israel conflict could end up like Iraq War, MPs warn
Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs said Britain should be wary of any involvement, as they compared it to the British invasion of Saddam Hussein's country in 2003. Intelligence on Tehran's nuclear capabilities was treated with scepticism, as one MP said the Commons should have a vote on whether to engage in any military action. It came as Foreign Secretary David Lammy said any British nationals in Israel should register with the Foreign Office, so they can receive information about how to leave the country. He said it was tougher to help British nationals in Iran due to the closed airspace. The Government has long-issued 'do not travel' advice to the country. He also said the UK had had no role in Israel's counter-strikes. Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) drew a comparison with the Tony Blair-era conflict. He said: 'A despotic Middle Eastern dictatorship, a rogue state, a terrorist state perilously close to achieving a weapon of mass destruction so serious that it could disrupt the entire region. 'Members, as well as the public listening at home, may hear echoes of 2003 in that description of current events. 'And with talk of regime change again in the air, can I ask the Foreign Secretary what he is going to do to personally talk back the authorities in Jerusalem, in Israel, because what they're doing at the moment strikes me as providing the Iranian regime with the best possible propaganda tool that they could possibly have.' Mr Lammy said: 'He's right to emphasise in his words a degree of caution. 'He will have heard what I said in the House this afternoon, which forms the bedrock of diplomacy that our officials are exercising in Israel, in Iran, and across the wider region.' Labour's Barry Gardiner (Brent West) asked the Foreign Secretary what he had done to get information from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to get a fuller picture of Iran's nuclear capabilities. He said: 'The failure to get transparent information from UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission) and UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) caused untold damage 22 years ago.' Mr Lammy said he had spoken to director general Rafael Grossi last week. Meanwhile his party colleague Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central) asked: 'Given that Israel's claims have been challenged, even by US intelligence assessments, can the Foreign Secretary assure this House that no UK military support, whether direct or indirect, will be given without the clear and explicit consent of this House and that this Government has learnt the hard lessons of Iraq and Libya and will not repeat them?' Mr Lammy said: 'Categorically, the UK is not involved in Israel strikes.' He added: 'We do have an important regional role. We have UK assets, of course, in Cyprus, we have them in Bahrain, we have them in Qatar, and we have a role, an important role in Operation Shader, where we're dealing from terrible threats to us and our allies from Daesh and other things.' It came as MPs said they feared the conflict between Israel and Iran would distract from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's forces' actions against Palestinians in Gaza. The Commons heard renewed calls for the Palestinian state to be recognised, as a UN summit in New York has been delayed by the hostilities between Jerusalem and Tehran. Conservative MP Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire) said: 'The Foreign Secretary said he was keeping his eye on Gaza. 'I'm not quite sure what that means. 'It's certainly the case that the eye of the world has been drawn to the footage that emerged as the missiles have flown of young children shot and bleeding out their lives in the sands of Gaza. 'As he said, 50 people hospitalised over the weekend or shot dead while begging for food. 'And just this morning, 38 people killed while queuing for food, or attempting to obtain food from the new American-sponsored distribution system. 'What comfort should all those bereaved families in Gaza take from the fact that he is keeping his eye on this situation?' Mr Lammy said he had met the family of a hostage who was killed by the terror group Hamas on Monday morning, who asked him to keep Gaza 'at the forefront of my mind'. He added: 'We are absolutely clear that the aid needs to get in, that those hostages need to get out, and we want to see a ceasefire.'
The Herald Scotland
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
British involvement in Iran-Israel conflict could end up like Iraq War, MPs warn
Intelligence on Tehran's nuclear capabilities was treated with scepticism, as one MP said the Commons should have a vote on whether to engage in any military action. It came as Foreign Secretary David Lammy said any British nationals in Israel should register with the Foreign Office, so they can receive information about how to leave the country. He said it was tougher to help British nationals in Iran due to the closed airspace. The Government has long-issued 'do not travel' advice to the country. He also said the UK had had no role in Israel's counter-strikes. Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) drew a comparison with the Tony Blair-era conflict. He said: 'A despotic Middle Eastern dictatorship, a rogue state, a terrorist state perilously close to achieving a weapon of mass destruction so serious that it could disrupt the entire region. 'Members, as well as the public listening at home, may hear echoes of 2003 in that description of current events. 'And with talk of regime change again in the air, can I ask the Foreign Secretary what he is going to do to personally talk back the authorities in Jerusalem, in Israel, because what they're doing at the moment strikes me as providing the Iranian regime with the best possible propaganda tool that they could possibly have.' Mr Lammy said: 'He's right to emphasise in his words a degree of caution. 'He will have heard what I said in the House this afternoon, which forms the bedrock of diplomacy that our officials are exercising in Israel, in Iran, and across the wider region.' David Lammy said British nationals in Israel should register with the Foreign Office (Carlos Jasso/PA) Labour's Barry Gardiner (Brent West) asked the Foreign Secretary what he had done to get information from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to get a fuller picture of Iran's nuclear capabilities. He said: 'The failure to get transparent information from UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission) and UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) caused untold damage 22 years ago.' Mr Lammy said he had spoken to director general Rafael Grossi last week. Meanwhile his party colleague Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central) asked: 'Given that Israel's claims have been challenged, even by US intelligence assessments, can the Foreign Secretary assure this House that no UK military support, whether direct or indirect, will be given without the clear and explicit consent of this House and that this Government has learnt the hard lessons of Iraq and Libya and will not repeat them?' Mr Lammy said: 'Categorically, the UK is not involved in Israel strikes.' He added: 'We do have an important regional role. We have UK assets, of course, in Cyprus, we have them in Bahrain, we have them in Qatar, and we have a role, an important role in Operation Shader, where we're dealing from terrible threats to us and our allies from Daesh and other things.' It came as MPs said they feared the conflict between Israel and Iran would distract from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's forces' actions against Palestinians in Gaza. The Commons heard renewed calls for the Palestinian state to be recognised, as a UN summit in New York has been delayed by the hostilities between Jerusalem and Tehran. Palestinians carry bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organisation, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Conservative MP Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire) said: 'The Foreign Secretary said he was keeping his eye on Gaza. 'I'm not quite sure what that means. 'It's certainly the case that the eye of the world has been drawn to the footage that emerged as the missiles have flown of young children shot and bleeding out their lives in the sands of Gaza. 'As he said, 50 people hospitalised over the weekend or shot dead while begging for food. 'And just this morning, 38 people killed while queuing for food, or attempting to obtain food from the new American-sponsored distribution system. 'What comfort should all those bereaved families in Gaza take from the fact that he is keeping his eye on this situation?' Mr Lammy said he had met the family of a hostage who was killed by the terror group Hamas on Monday morning, who asked him to keep Gaza 'at the forefront of my mind'. He added: 'We are absolutely clear that the aid needs to get in, that those hostages need to get out, and we want to see a ceasefire.'
South Wales Guardian
16-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
British involvement in Iran-Israel conflict could end up like Iraq War, MPs warn
Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs said Britain should be wary of any involvement, as they compared it to the British invasion of Saddam Hussein's country in 2003. Intelligence on Tehran's nuclear capabilities was treated with scepticism, as one MP said the Commons should have a vote on whether to engage in any military action. It came as Foreign Secretary David Lammy said any British nationals in Israel should register with the Foreign Office, so they can receive information about how to leave the country. He said it was tougher to help British nationals in Iran due to the closed airspace. The Government has long-issued 'do not travel' advice to the country. He also said the UK had had no role in Israel's counter-strikes. Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) drew a comparison with the Tony Blair-era conflict. He said: 'A despotic Middle Eastern dictatorship, a rogue state, a terrorist state perilously close to achieving a weapon of mass destruction so serious that it could disrupt the entire region. 'Members, as well as the public listening at home, may hear echoes of 2003 in that description of current events. 'And with talk of regime change again in the air, can I ask the Foreign Secretary what he is going to do to personally talk back the authorities in Jerusalem, in Israel, because what they're doing at the moment strikes me as providing the Iranian regime with the best possible propaganda tool that they could possibly have.' Mr Lammy said: 'He's right to emphasise in his words a degree of caution. 'He will have heard what I said in the House this afternoon, which forms the bedrock of diplomacy that our officials are exercising in Israel, in Iran, and across the wider region.' Labour's Barry Gardiner (Brent West) asked the Foreign Secretary what he had done to get information from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to get a fuller picture of Iran's nuclear capabilities. He said: 'The failure to get transparent information from UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission) and UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) caused untold damage 22 years ago.' Mr Lammy said he had spoken to director general Rafael Grossi last week. Meanwhile his party colleague Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central) asked: 'Given that Israel's claims have been challenged, even by US intelligence assessments, can the Foreign Secretary assure this House that no UK military support, whether direct or indirect, will be given without the clear and explicit consent of this House and that this Government has learnt the hard lessons of Iraq and Libya and will not repeat them?' Mr Lammy said: 'Categorically, the UK is not involved in Israel strikes.' He added: 'We do have an important regional role. We have UK assets, of course, in Cyprus, we have them in Bahrain, we have them in Qatar, and we have a role, an important role in Operation Shader, where we're dealing from terrible threats to us and our allies from Daesh and other things.' It came as MPs said they feared the conflict between Israel and Iran would distract from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's forces' actions against Palestinians in Gaza. The Commons heard renewed calls for the Palestinian state to be recognised, as a UN summit in New York has been delayed by the hostilities between Jerusalem and Tehran. Conservative MP Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire) said: 'The Foreign Secretary said he was keeping his eye on Gaza. 'I'm not quite sure what that means. 'It's certainly the case that the eye of the world has been drawn to the footage that emerged as the missiles have flown of young children shot and bleeding out their lives in the sands of Gaza. 'As he said, 50 people hospitalised over the weekend or shot dead while begging for food. 'And just this morning, 38 people killed while queuing for food, or attempting to obtain food from the new American-sponsored distribution system. 'What comfort should all those bereaved families in Gaza take from the fact that he is keeping his eye on this situation?' Mr Lammy said he had met the family of a hostage who was killed by the terror group Hamas on Monday morning, who asked him to keep Gaza 'at the forefront of my mind'. He added: 'We are absolutely clear that the aid needs to get in, that those hostages need to get out, and we want to see a ceasefire.'
