Coordinated Anglo-French Airstrike Targets IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.