Joint UK-French Airstrike Strikes IS Arms Cache in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
