Joint Anglo-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
