Combined UK-French Aerial Assault Strikes Daesh Munitions Store in Syria
RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.