Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey said. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
