Coordinated UK-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Munitions Store in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
