Joint UK-French Airstrike Targets IS Arms Cache in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
