The UK has robust procedures to ensure that all military operations, including airstrikes, are conducted in full compliance with International Humanitarian Law. Every care is taken during UK military operations to minimise the potential for civilian casualties. To that end, we conduct a rigorous assessment before and after striking a target and will investigate any credible reports that UK actions may have caused civilian casualties.

Over the course of Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the international coalition to counter Daesh, we have previously identified one civilian casualty that occurred during an UK airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018.  This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018 (HCWS665). RAF aircraft did not conduct an attack near Al Bab in Syria on 20 December 2016. Despite our best efforts to identify whether there have been civilian casualties, no evidence we have suggests these occurred as a result of strikes carried out by the RAF in Mosul in 2016-17.

However, we accept the possibility that there could be instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to identify. We will always re-examine any new information or evidence relating to a potential civilian casualty incident submitted to us, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. National security considerations might prevent full disclosure of detail where this risks jeopardising operational security considerations.

The UK has robust procedures to ensure that all military operations, including airstrikes, are conducted in full compliance with International Humanitarian Law. Every care is taken during UK military operations to minimise the potential for civilian casualties. To that end, we conduct a rigorous assessment before and after striking a target and will investigate any credible reports that UK actions may have caused civilian casualties.

Over the course of Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the international coalition to counter Daesh, we have previously identified one civilian casualty that occurred during an UK airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018.  This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018 (HCWS665). RAF aircraft did not conduct an attack near Al Bab in Syria on 20 December 2016. Despite our best efforts to identify whether there have been civilian casualties, no evidence we have suggests these occurred as a result of strikes carried out by the RAF in Mosul in 2016-17.

However, we accept the possibility that there could be instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to identify. We will always re-examine any new information or evidence relating to a potential civilian casualty incident submitted to us, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. National security considerations might prevent full disclosure of detail where this risks jeopardising operational security considerations.

We are following closely the situation in northern Iraq. FCDO Ministers and senior officials regularly reiterate to the need for dialogue and cooperation between Turkey and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to combat terrorism, ensure regional security, and protect civilians. Our diplomatic missions are in regular contact with Turkish, Government of Iraq and Kurdistan regional Government authorities. Our focus is always on securing an end to violence and protecting civilians. The UK continues to champion on the rights of minorities, including Yazidis, in Iraq, including through working with a wide range of actors to ensure full implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law.

In respect of Afghanistan, both the compensation and claimants' legal fees paid by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for unlawful detention and mistreatment claims by Afghan nationals are subject to a confidentiality undertaking between the MOD and the claimants' solicitors and we are unable to disclose the information at this time.

In respect of Iraq, the MOD has previously disclosed that £19.66 million was paid in compensation to an early tranche of claims by Iraqi nationals alleging unlawful detention and mistreatment. Further similar claims and the claimants' legal costs are subject to a confidentiality undertaking and we are unable to disclose the information at this time.

The MOD's legal and administration costs of dealing with these claims are not centrally recorded.

In respect of Syria, no claims have been received.

In respect of Afghanistan, both the compensation and claimants' legal fees paid by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for unlawful detention and mistreatment claims by Afghan nationals are subject to a confidentiality undertaking between the MOD and the claimants' solicitors and we are unable to disclose the information at this time.

In respect of Iraq, the MOD has previously disclosed that £19.66 million was paid in compensation to an early tranche of claims by Iraqi nationals alleging unlawful detention and mistreatment. Further similar claims and the claimants' legal costs are subject to a confidentiality undertaking and we are unable to disclose the information at this time.

The MOD's legal and administration costs of dealing with these claims are not centrally recorded.

In respect of Syria, no claims have been received.

The UK follows robust procedures and uses all available evidence when conducting battle damage assessments. Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. Specifically under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one civilian casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018. However, we accept the possibility that there could be other instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to assess battle damage. For that reason, in 2016, the then Defence Secretary committed that MOD officials would work with civil society organisations on this issue. As a result, we always re-examine any new information relating to a potential incident submitted to us by such organisations, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

The UK follows robust procedures and uses all available evidence when conducting battle damage assessments. Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. Specifically under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one civilian casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018. However, we accept the possibility that there could be other instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to assess battle damage. For that reason, in 2016, the then Defence Secretary committed that MOD officials would work with civil society organisations on this issue. As a result, we always re-examine any new information relating to a potential incident submitted to us by such organisations, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

The UK follows robust procedures and uses all available evidence when conducting battle damage assessments. Parliament will always be informed of any instance where we assess a UK airstrike is responsible for a civilian casualty incident, whether incurred during a new strike, or as a result of re-examining historic strikes using new information. Specifically under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one civilian casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018. However, we accept the possibility that there could be other instances of civilian casualties about which we are unaware, despite our best efforts to assess battle damage. For that reason, in 2016, the then Defence Secretary committed that MOD officials would work with civil society organisations on this issue. As a result, we always re-examine any new information relating to a potential incident submitted to us by such organisations, where it is possible that UK forces may have been involved.

The UK has not conducted any airstrikes against ISIS-K under Operation HERRICK or Operation TORAL.

Under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one Civilian Casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on the 26th March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018.

The UK has not conducted any airstrikes against ISIS-K under Operation HERRICK or Operation TORAL.

Under Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to the US-led Coalition, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the UK has conducted airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UK has accepted responsibility for one Civilian Casualty that occurred during an airstrike on Daesh fighters in eastern Syria on the 26th March 2018. This incident was subject to a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 May 2018.

The British Government has regularly raised human rights concerns relating to the judicial process for persons suspected of support for Daesh with the Iraqi governmental and judicial authorities. In these discussions, including with the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and the Iraqi Chief Justice, we have reiterated the importance of due process and our opposition to the death penalty. Our Embassy in Baghdad has also encouraged and facilitated contacts between the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and the Royal Courts of Justice, who are looking at ways to provide support and capacity-building to their Iraqi counterparts.

​Important progress is being made to clear explosive devices from previously Daesh-held areas of Iraq. In 2018, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) cleared over 2,000 explosive traps and 16,500 explosives from the country. The UK, one of the largest contributors to demining efforts in Iraq, has contributed £29.75 million to UNMAS since 2015, including £5 million announced in January 2019 to support six explosive clearance teams in Sinjar province. UK support in this area, combined with our wider humanitarian and stabilisation efforts in Iraq, has contributed to creating the conditions for over 4 million internally displaced persons to return home since 2015.

Information relating to the number of civilian casualties in Syria and Iraq resulting from coalition operations is not held by the UK, and is a matter for the United States Central Command.

The UK was involved in one incident on 26 March 2018 in which a UK air strike targeting Daesh terrorists in eastern Syria resulted in an unintentional civilian fatality.

I refer my noble Friend to the written statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Gavin Williamson) in the House of Commons on 2 May 2018 (HCWS665).

We conduct detailed assessments after each UK air strike and will review any relevant information from non-Governmental organisations. We have not seen any evidence that the UK has been responsible for any other civilian deaths in Syria or Iraq as a result of RAF air strikes.

We remain committed to being transparent about any fatalities caused as a result of UK strikes.

Although violent attacks have been reduced, we are aware of reports of pockets of ongoing violence against civilians and security personnel.

The UK condemns all such acts and remains committed to supporting the Government of Iraq as it works to defeat Daesh and put Iraq on the path to long-term peace and stability. The Prime Minister emphasised this message with Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi during her visit in November 2017 and, as a demonstration of our commitment, announced UK investment of £10 million to help build Iraq's counter-terrorist capability. We have plans to continue assisting Iraq by training its security forces, enhancing their ability to respond to the threat.

In 2013 the High Court ordered the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to establish a non-criminal process of "quasi-inquests" (which we have designated Iraq Fatality Investigations (IFI)) in appropriate cases to comply fully with the investigative obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, which include procedural requirements (to involve the victim's family, to ensure public accountability, and to identify systemic issues) that cannot always be achieved by a criminal investigation alone. The MOD understands the strain any investigation places upon its personnel, the vast majority of whom conducted themselves professionally in the most difficult circumstances, and is committed to providing them with proper pastoral and legal support. IFI are essentially inquests, they are not criminal investigations and can only take place when a decision has been taken not to prosecute. They take place to provide the families of deceased Iraqi civilians with answers about the circumstances of their deaths.

It is important that allegations of wrongdoing are investigated to allay public concerns, if unjustified, or to expose discreditable conduct. This process remains appropriate and legally necessary.