Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Munitions Store in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels down to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.