Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria
Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
