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British troops who helped in the fight against Islamic State will receive a medal for their efforts, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Speaking to soldiers in Iraq on the third anniversary of the campaign, Sir Michael Fallon revealed plans for an Operation Shader medal to recognise their work defeating the insurgency.

"It is only right that those who've performed above and beyond in this fight against the evil of our time get the recognition they deserve. This medal will do just that," he told troops at a base just north of Baghdad.

"Our troops have made huge contributions to the fight against Daesh, helping end its tyranny in large parts of Iraq and Syria."

Sir Michael met personnel in Erbil and Taji, where they have been involved in training Iraqi security forces, Kurdish soldiers and Ninewah police.

The RAF has conducted more than 1,500 strikes against Islamic State targets and the British military has helped train nearly 60,000 Iraqi Security Forces so far.

Around 1,400 British personnel have been deployed over the three years so the medal will be awarded retrospectively. It is estimated 3,600 will receive the honour from next year.

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The British military has been deployed on and off in Iraq for the best part of the last 25 years.

Sir Michael said that they would stay there at least until Islamic State was defeated but hoped that then "British troops wouldn't need to come back to Iraq".

He also met the Kurdish President on his visit to Erbil and passed on a message that the British Government does not support the upcoming independence referendum.

Kurdistan will hold the vote next Monday and the government is expecting to receive overwhelming support for its push for independence.

The US, UK and others have opposed it however, saying the timing is wrong and it will damage the fight against Islamic State.