Combined British-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region
RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts down to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he said. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.