Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he added. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
