Combined UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Munitions Store in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
