Coordinated Anglo-French Air Strike Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels down to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
