Combined British-French Air Strike Strikes Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
