United Kingdom Makes First Drone Strike Against Islamic State

The United Kingdom made its first drone attack against the Islamic State this past weekend, targeting a city that holds Iraq's largest oil refinery.

Great Britain's Ministry of Defense confirmed this week that an RAF Reaper Drone successfully "attacked" Islamic State militants near Baiji, where the country's largest oil refinery is located. The drone was reportedly able to successfully target Islamic State militants who were laying improvised explosive devices nearby.

Although Great Britain began partaking in airstrikes against the Islamic State in late September, this most recent attack is the first known time a drone has been used to target militants. BBC's Jonathan Beale reports that previously, the drones were used only for reconnaissance work.

"The [Ministry of Defense] are still not saying how many Reapers have been redeployed from Afghanistan to the region," he said, adding "It's understood the remotely-piloted aircraft have conducted more than a dozen sorties over Iraq so far - mostly in a reconnaissance role."

According to Reuters, following parliament's approval of airstrikes against the Islamic State, Great Britain has carried out dozens of airstrikes, using mostly Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 fighter-bombers. The European country is also using spy planes and drones for reconnaissance work in Syria.

Great Britain is one of the several countries who have agreed to partake in the U.S.-led effort to defeat the Islamic State. The U.S. has also been partaking in various airstrikes, but President Barack Obama has vowed not to put combat troops on the ground in Iraq.