UK took part with the US in airstrikes on Syrian soldiers in Deir Al-Zour

The UK took part in a recent coalition air strike in Syria that killed dozens of government troops fighting the so-called Islamic State, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.

Russia said at least 62 Syrian personnel were killed in the Deir al-Zour strikes on Saturday.

The MoD said it would “not intentionally target Syrian military units”.

The US has already expressed “regret” for the “unintentional loss of life”.

The British aircraft that took part in the operation was an unmanned remotely piloted Reaper drone.

The RAF’s Reaper drones can carry both Hellfire missiles and 500lb Paveway laser-guided bombs
An MoD spokesman said: “We can confirm that the UK participated in the recent coalition air strike in Syria, south of Deir al-Zour on Saturday and we are fully co-operating with the coalition investigation.”

A Syrian army source said the air strike had allowed IS to gain ground in the area around the Syrian airbase, but that Syrian forces had regained most positions on the hilltop nearby with the help of Syrian and Russian air support.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denounced the air strike as a “flagrant aggression”