🔗 Share this article Joint British-French Airstrike Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence. The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria. "The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced. There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added. The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. IS - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse. "This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated. UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported. "I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he said. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad." During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence. The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria. "The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced. There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added. The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. IS - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse. "This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated. UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported. "I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he said. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad." During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.