Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Munitions Store in Syria
RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
