The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that armed drones in Afghanistan have been operated from RAF bases in the UK for the first time.
Defence officials say the Reaper drones are mainly used for surveillance but can also make use of 500lb bombs and Hellfire missiles.
Campaigners have protested against the use of drones in armed conflicts.
Chris Nineham of the Stop the War Coalition, said:
"I think people feel that there is something sinister and disturbing about the idea that someone can attack a foreign country thousands of miles away with, simply, the push of a button and this technology that is being introduced is giving carte blanche to governments to fight wars behind the backs of people with no public scrutiny or accountability.”
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