Joint British-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Munitions Store in Syria
Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels down to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
