Coordinated British-French Air Strike Strikes Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
