Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Munitions Store in Syria
RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
