Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Hits IS Arms Cache in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.