Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Strikes Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
