Combined UK-French Airstrike Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.