Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
