Coordinated British-French Airstrike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
