RAF drone killed Daesh militant near Hama MoD says
On Sunday 28 September 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence said an RAF remotely piloted aircraft tracked and killed a Daesh fighter north of Hama, Syria. Crews followed the individual as he moved by motorcycle and on foot, and engaged when commanders judged there was no risk to civilians.
We’re careful about sources. This is a government statement, not a court finding. The MoD asserts that no civilians were put at risk; independent monitors had not reported casualties linked to this strike at the time of the update. In conflict reporting, after‑action checks can take days or weeks.
Daesh is another name for the so‑called Islamic State group. You’ll also see ISIS or ISIL. While the group lost most of its territory by 2019, small cells remain in Syria and Iraq, carrying out bombings, ambushes and intimidation. These cells are the focus of ongoing coalition and local security operations.
If you’re looking at a map, Hama sits in western Syria along the Orontes River. The rural areas north of Hama connect to southern Idlib and open farmland. The wider region has seen shifting front lines and the presence of different armed actors since 2011, which helps explain why surveillance flights operate there.
An RAF remotely piloted aircraft-often called a drone-is flown by pilots and sensor operators from a ground station. The aircraft can stay airborne for long periods, use cameras to build a ‘pattern of life’, and, when authorised, release precision munitions. The MoD says that patience and identification led to the window for this strike.
In the UK, action against Daesh in Syria has had parliamentary approval since December 2015. Missions are planned under domestic and international law, with military lawyers reviewing evidence, the target and expected collateral effects. Commanders set rules of engagement before any weapon can be used.
Reducing harm to civilians is not only a legal duty but a practical requirement. Crews watch for bystanders entering the area, check camera angles and communications, and abort if the picture isn’t clear. After a strike, analysts review imagery and reports to assess whether any civilian harm occurred and whether an investigation is needed.
If you want to trace the bigger picture, the Ministry of Defence keeps a monthly list of British air strikes in Iraq and Syria on GOV.UK. Comparing those entries with reports from trusted media and monitoring groups helps you build a clearer timeline and spot where details line up-or don’t.
For classrooms and curious readers, treat this update as a piece of a larger puzzle. Start with the official claim, mark the date and location, and then look for corroboration. Ask how identification was made, what ‘no risk to civilians’ means in practice, and which organisations can verify the outcome over the coming weeks.