Coordinated British-French Airstrike Targets IS Weapons Depot in Syria
Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments 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 returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he added. "Including them were numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
