Combined UK-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Munitions Store in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
