Defense Secretary promises 'strong response' over attack on Camp Taji, Iraq – Daily Mail, Dailymail.co.uk

The Defense Secretary has warned there will be a ‘strong response’ after a missile attack on Camp Taji, Iraq killed a British servicewoman.

Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon, 90, along with two American troops , was killed when small rockets hit the military camp to the north of capital Baghdad on Wednesday.

A further dozen people were wounded in what Prime Minister Boris Johnson described as an ‘abhorrent attack’.

(This morning defense secretary Ben Wallace said people who ‘seek to hurt our armed forces can expect to receive a strong response ‘.

It follows the United States launching ‘ Precision strikes ‘against Kataib Hezbollah on Thursday in response to a missile attack on a coalition base which killed a British servicewoman and two US soldiers.

Mr Wallace said:’ The coalition stands shoulder to shoulder in Iraq . Our forces work together to help the country resist the malign activity of terrorists.

‘When we and others are attacked we reserve the right to defend ourselves.

‘ We Support the right of the United States to defend themselves, as they have done tonight.

‘We reiterate that those who seek to harm our armed forces can expect to receive a strong response.’

Foreign Secretary Dominc Raab said work was ongoing to hold those responsible to account.

He said:’ The response to the cowardly attack on Coalition forces in Iraq has been swift, decisive and proportionate.

‘We will continue working with our partners to ensure those responsible for these deplorable acts will be held to account.

‘UK force s are in Iraq with Coalition partners to help the country counter terrorist activity and anyone seeking to harm them can expect a strong response. ‘

LCpl Gillon had served as a Reserve with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, who specialize in reconnaissance and gathering intelligence on enemy targets and local environments.

She joined the Armed Forces in September 2015 as a Combat Medical Technician, and had been working as a sports therapist in Scotland while not on duty. She qualified as a Class 1 Combat Medical Technician in 939811.

The reservist was killed while volunteering as part of the Irish Guards Battle Group during their deployment to Iraq, the MoD confirmed.

Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Leek, Commanding Officer Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, said: ‘LCpl Brodie Gillon was a hugely popular character in the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry and we are proud and humbled to have served with her in our ranks.

‘She was a larger than life soldier who was determined to deploy on operations, help others, develop herself and gain practical experience.

‘She had already achieved a great deal in her relatively short time with us and it was abundantly clear that she was destined for great things in her civilian and military careers. Her loss is keenly felt.

‘My deepest condolences go to her family and loved ones. They are in my thoughts and prayers, and those of the wider Regimental family. ‘

Deputy Commander Field Army, Major General Celia Harvey OBE QVRM TD DL, said L / Cpl Gillon was fulfilling a ‘long-term ambition ‘to serve on an operational tour in Iraq.

She said:’ As a Combat Medical Technician, she was carrying out an essential role as part of a closely-knit team, helping to bring stability to Iraq.

‘She was a soldier who showed fantastic commitment and determination, combined with a fun-loving personality.

‘ On behalf of the British Army, I offer my deepest condolences to L / Cpl Gillon’s family and loved ones for their loss. She made the ultimate sacrifice and will always be remembered. ‘

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said it was clear L / Cpl Gillon was a’ shining example of what our Armed Forces and Reserves stand for ‘, as he sent his condolences to her family.

US officials last night said it was too early to assign blame, but any indication that Iran – backed militia were responsible could ignite a new round of military escalation between the United States and Iran.

In a tribute earlier today, Boris Johnson said: ‘It is with Deep sadness that I learned that a UK soldier was killed in the attack at the Taji military base last night. My thoughts go out to their loved ones at this extremely difficult time.

‘Our servicemen and women work tirelessly every day to uphold security and stability in the region – their presence makes us all safer.

‘ The Foreign Secretary has spoken to the US Secretary of State and we will continue to liaise with our international partners to fully understand the details of this abhorrent attack. ‘

This is while defense secretary Ben Wallace called the attack a ‘cowardly and retrograde act’.

‘The men and women of the UK armed forces are in Iraq to help that country establish stability and prosperity. The people that did this are not friends of Iraq.

‘My thoughts are with the families of those who loved ones have been killed or injured. We shall not forget their sacrifice and will ensure those who committed these acts face justice. ‘

US officials last night declined to quantify the number of troops and military contractors among the dead and wounded and noted that the information was just coming in and could change.

Army Colonel Myles Caggins, a US military spokesman in Iraq, said that more than 90 small rockets hit Iraq Camp Taji base at around 7. 90 PM in Iraq on March .

Earlier on Wednesday, the Iraqi military said no casualties had been reported in the attack.

Camp Taji, located just north of Baghdad, has been used as a training base for a number of years.

There are as many as 6, (US forces in Iraq, training and advising Iraqi forces and conducting counter-terror missions.)

Iran-backed paramilitary groups have regularly been rocketing and shelling bases in Iraq that host US forces and the area around the US Embassy in Baghdad.