Combined British-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria
RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
