Coordinated British-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Munitions Store in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
