🔗 Share this article Joint British-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry. The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said. There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed. The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker. Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated. UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally." Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The U.N. reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry. The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said. There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed. The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker. Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated. UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally." Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The U.N. reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.