Coordinated UK-French Air Strike Targets IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
