Combined British-French Air Strike Strikes IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.