SAS joins mission to save refugees

Mail Online ^ | 8-14-2014 | Tom Mctague, Mail Online Deputy Political Editor and James Rush

[sheikdetailfeather]

A dramatic international rescue mission of thousands of trapped refugees in northern Iraq was ‘far less likely’ this morning after the Government revealed huge numbers had already escaped across the border to Syria.

David Cameron, returning from holiday 24 hours early to chair an emergency Cobra meeting in Downing Street, yesterday revealed Britain was working on ‘detailed plans’ to airlift up to 30,000 desperate Yazidis cornered by Islamic State extremists on Mount Sinjar.

But the International Development Secretary Justine Greening confirmed this morning that American surveillance had revealed fewer people were left on the mountain than first feared.

But she added: ‘There are many people left on that mountain in desperate straits.’ Britain will now concentrate on getting vital supplies like water and food to up to a million displaced Iraqis.

It was confirmed last night that SAS and SBS troops are already on the ground, supported by specialist signals and reconnaissance forces.

[sheikdetailfeather]

"Mark Field, a Conservative member of the Commons intelligence and security committee, said Britain may end up having to send in ground troops.

He called on the Government to ‘level’ with the public about the UK’s potential involvement in Iraq and said he expects substantial numbers of refugees to be offered asylum in the West."

[Vinnie]

So, the US determined there weren’t enough Yazidis to worry about so screw’em, let them fend for themselves. Nice.

[ltc8k6]

Well, you don’t need to evacuate dead bodies.

Escape to Syria? That sounds like fun...