Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.