Combined British-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Arms Cache in Syria
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he said. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
