🔗 Share this article Joint UK-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry. The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced. There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed. The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated. UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he said. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally." Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra. The U.N. says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry. The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced. There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed. The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated. UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he said. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally." Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra. The U.N. says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.