Coordinated Anglo-French Airstrike Targets IS Weapons Depot in Syria
Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
