Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
