Combined UK-French Airstrike Strikes IS Munitions Store in Syria
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages leading to the site... 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 made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
