Coordinated British-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Weapons Depot in Syria
RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
