Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Hits Daesh Munitions Store in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
