NEWPORT West’s MP Paul Flynn has again warned of extending UK involvement in Iraq and sought confirmation that troops were there on a humanitarian mission.

On October 16 he asked whether any British military personnel had been deployed to Northern Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan or Northern Syria since June 2014.

Minister of State for the Armed Force Mark Francois answered: “As a member of the US coalition, the UK is committed to countering ISIL in Iraq and Syria. British personnel have been providing logistical, liaison and surveillance support in Iraq and will continue to do so.

“From 27 September 2014, following the parliamentary vote, the RAF began flying strike missions over Iraq. We have also recently sent a small team to provide short term training to Kurdish forces. These troops are not deployed in a ground combat role.

“Additionally, as part of our preparations for a potential humanitarian airlift from the Sinjar Mountains in August, we deployed military personnel to Erbil. These troops were recovered to Cyprus when it became clear that the operation would not go ahead.”

Mr Flynn said he welcomed confirmation that UK troops had been deployed to Iraq on a humanitarian mission. He said: “We must not get sucked into another war with unforeseeable consequences for our soldiers. Parliament is united in agreeing the full use of forces in saving innocent lives. The Middle East is a cauldron of ancient hatreds. If we get involved with troops on the ground, it may take us years to extricate ourselves.”