Combined UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Munitions Store in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
