Coordinated UK-French Air Strike Strikes Islamic State Arms Cache in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages down to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
