Coordinated British-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Arms Cache in Syria
RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
