Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Strikes IS Munitions Store in Syria
RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
