UK operated US drones over Libya

Published July 27, 2012

Drone_Reuters_1_670
The Ministry of Defense said Thursday that was still the case, but confirmed that Royal Air Force personnel embedded within a US unit had operated “armed Remotely Piloted Air Systems missions” against Gadhafi’s forces in Libya in 2011.   — AP Photo

LONDON: British Royal Air Force personnel operated US drones over Libya last year in support of the Nato mission there, the Ministry of Defense said Thursday.    

While the American use of drones in Libya was previously known, a US Predator drone took part in the airstrike that hit a convoy carrying ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, British officials have insisted that no UK drones were involved there or have been used outside of Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defense said Thursday that was still the case, but confirmed that Royal Air Force personnel embedded within a US unit had operated “armed Remotely Piloted Air Systems missions” against Gadhafi’s forces in Libya in 2011.

It did not provide further details on the number of armed drone missions RAF personnel flew or what US unit they were embedded with, butstressed that the UK armed forces routinely embed within units of allied nations, and vice versa, through exchange programs.

“There were no and are no” UK drones operating outside of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...