Joint Anglo-French Air Strike Hits IS Arms Cache in Syria
Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages leading to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," he said. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
