Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Strikes Daesh Arms Cache in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
