🔗 Share this article Joint British-French Air Strike Strikes IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region A Typhoon FGR4 from the Royal Air Force (archive image) Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD. The location, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said. There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated. The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane. IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated. British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I must thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," he added. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad." Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area. The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
A Typhoon FGR4 from the Royal Air Force (archive image) Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD. The location, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said. There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated. The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane. IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated. British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I must thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," he added. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad." Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area. The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.