Combined British-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
