Islamic State adapting to airstrikes

International news sources have reported a drop in the number of militant checkpoints and fighters using mobile phones less, apparently to avoid being targeted by air raids. In an effort to confuse target spotters, IS fighters have reportedly taken to planting their black flags on civilian homes and facilities.

Militants are also switching to motorcycles instead of travelling in conspicuous convoys of armoured vehicles.

IS fighters, who include many veterans of Afghanistan, Chechnya and Libya, are adapting their tactics and using their combat experience to avoid detection. The group abandoned one of their biggest headquarters when they heard the air campaign was likely to target their area, taking with them all their furniture, vehicles and weapons and booby-trapping the roads.

New restrictions include a ban on the taking of pictures and filming by cameras and mobile phones "during the battles", according to an IS memo aiming preventing "undisciplined diligence" by fighters.

In a memo published by the General Committee of Islamic State, militants are informed that filming will be restricted to certified "media personnel" in charge of "documenting and filming battles" , warning that offenders will be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced that Royal Air Force aircraft have seen further action in Iraq overnight.

Two Tornado GR4 aircraft were in action over Iraq yesterday, as part of the international coalition’s operations to support the democratic Iraqi Government in the fight against ISIL.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence  “two Tornados were tasked to assist Kurdish troops in north-west Iraq who were under attack from ISIL terrorists.”

The RAF also conducted air strikes on the ISIL terrorist organisation on the 30th September, with two Tornado GR4s based at RAF Akrotiri carried out an armed reconnaissance mission to examine a location suspected of being used as an ISIL command and control position, in support of Iraqi government forces west of Baghdad.

At the scene the warplanes identified ISIL activity and two vehicles, one of which was an armed pick-up truck. The vehicles were destroyed using Brimstone missiles.