Joint British-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Arms Cache in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he said. "Including them were thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
