🔗 Share this article Joint British-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Arms Cache in Syria An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry. The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated. There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added. The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane. IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019. "This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said. British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted. "I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad." During December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area. The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry. The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated. There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added. The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane. IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019. "This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said. British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted. "I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad." During December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area. The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.