🔗 Share this article Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Strikes Islamic State Arms Cache in the Syrian region A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence. The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced. There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated. The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane. The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019. "This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked. British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported. "I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally." Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence. The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced. There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated. The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane. The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019. "This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked. British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported. "I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally." Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.