Joint British-French Airstrike Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria
RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.