Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Strikes Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria
Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
