🔗 Share this article Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in the Syrian region A Typhoon FGR4 from the Royal Air Force (archive image) British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence. The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated. There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated. The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker. Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This action underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated. British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said. "I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas." During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The United Nations reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
A Typhoon FGR4 from the Royal Air Force (archive image) British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence. The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria. "The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated. There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated. The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker. Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This action underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated. British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said. "I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas." During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The United Nations reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.