A CIVILIAN was killed by a UK airstrike against Daesh in Syria, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed.
It marks the first time the Ministry of Defence has confirmed a civilian casualty during the campaign against the group.
The RAF had been targeting a trio of fighters in Eastern Syria when a civilian motorbike "crossed into the strike area" at the last moment.
Williamson said: "We do everything we can to minimise the risk to civilian life from UK strikes through our rigorous targeting processes and the professionalism of UK Service personnel.
“It is therefore deeply regrettable that a UK air strike on 26 March 2018, targeting Daesh fighters in eastern Syria, resulted in an unintentional civilian fatality.
“During a strike to engage three Daesh fighters, a civilian motorbike crossed into the strike area at the last moment and it is assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.
“We reached this conclusion after undertaking routine and detailed post-strike analysis of all available evidence.”
The drone strike was carried out by an RAF Reaper drone.
The RAF have launched more than 1600 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria.
Williamson added: "These events serve to remind us of the consequences of conflict and of the heavy price that the people of Syria have paid.
"It reminds us that when we undertake military action, we must do so knowing that it can never be completely without risk.
“Such incidents will not weaken our resolve to defeat Daesh and rid the world of its poisonous ideology of hate and intolerance.
"The UK’s commitment to the Global Coalition against Daesh and to the people of Iraq and Syria will remain as strong as ever."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here