🔗 Share this article Joint British-French Air Strike Hits IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry. The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said. There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed. The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane. IS - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked. British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported. "I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally." Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry. The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said. There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed. The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane. IS - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked. British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported. "I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally." Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.