A Royal Air Force (RAF) Reaper drone has successfully eliminated a Daesh terrorist in Syria, marking the latest UK military operation against the extremist group. The precision strike, carried out with a Hellfire missile, underscores Britain’s ongoing commitment to counterterrorism efforts in the region.
Target Tracked and Engaged
On Tuesday, 25 February, an RAF MQ-9A Reaper, operating under Operation Shader, was conducting an armed reconnaissance patrol over north-west Syria when it identified a known Daesh operative in the Aleppo Governorate.
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Reaper crew maintained continuous surveillance, carefully assessing the situation to ensure the strike could be carried out with minimal risk to civilians. When the terrorist was observed alone on foot, the crew confirmed the target and engaged with a Hellfire missile, successfully eliminating the individual.
The MoD stated that this operation was part of a wider strategy to disrupt Daesh’s activities and prevent its resurgence in Syria and beyond.
RAF Reaper: A Key Asset in Counterterrorism
The MQ-9A Reaper, operated by the RAF’s 13 and 39 Squadrons from RAF Waddington, plays a critical role in UK counterterrorism operations. This remotely piloted air system (RPAS) provides both long-endurance intelligence gathering and precision strike capabilities, making it an essential asset in the fight against Daesh.
It is equipped with:
- Electro-optical and infrared cameras for real-time surveillance
- Radar and laser target designators for precise targeting
- AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II bombs for high-accuracy, low-collateral damage strikes
The Reaper is currently being phased out and replaced by the more advanced Protector drone, but it remains a key component of RAF operations.
Operation Shader: The UK’s Contribution to the Global Coalition
This mission was conducted under Operation Shader, the UK’s contribution to the Global Coalition against Daesh. Since 2014, RAF aircraft, including Typhoon jets and Reaper drones, have provided:
- Precision airstrikes against Daesh targets
- Intelligence gathering to support coalition forces
- Reconnaissance missions to monitor terrorist movements
Although Daesh has been territorially defeated, the group continues to operate as an insurgency, necessitating ongoing UK and coalition operations.
Continued Vigilance Against Daesh
The RAF’s latest drone strike demonstrates the UK’s ongoing commitment to counterterrorism and regional stability. While Daesh’s presence has been significantly reduced, British and coalition forces remain actively engaged in preventing the group from re-establishing its influence.
Further operations are expected as part of the long-term strategy to disrupt Daesh and maintain security in the region.
