Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Munitions Store in the Syrian region
British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.