Joint British-French Airstrike Strikes IS Munitions Store in the Syrian region
Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
