Joint UK-French Air Strike Targets IS Munitions Store in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
