🔗 Share this article Joint British-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD. The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages down to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said. There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated. The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This action shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked. British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad." Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area. The U.N. reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD. The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages down to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said. There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated. The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This action shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked. British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad." Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area. The U.N. reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.