Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages leading to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
