Joint UK-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria
Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their courage," he added. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.