Combined UK-French Airstrike Hits IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages down to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
