Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Strikes IS Weapons Depot in Syria
British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
