Combined British-French Airstrike Strikes IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts down to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
