Coordinated British-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
