Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Targets IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages down to the depot... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
