British forces conducted their first drone attacks on Islamic State (Isis) militants in Iraq over the weekend, the Ministry of Defence revealed yesterday.

A series of coalition missions were conducted near Bayji, north of Baghdad, where Isis extremists were planting improvised explosive devices.

The strike comes after Britain announced it is stepping up its military presence in Iraq, where it is helping local forces in the battle against Isis militants.

Reaper drones are remotely controlled by pilots from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.

Some 40 countries have agreed to contribute to the fight against Isis militants.

“It was only a matter of time before the British forces would play a direct role in the context of drone air strikes,” said Nottingham Trent University terrorism expert Dr Natasha Underhill.

“It may now only be a matter of time before we see the reintroduction of troops into Iraq.”