Coordinated Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Munitions Store in the Syrian region
Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he added. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
