🔗 Share this article Coordinated British-French Aerial Assault Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD. The site, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts down to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said. There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed. The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker. The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019. "This strike shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated. British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported. "I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally." During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra. The UN reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD. The site, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts down to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said. There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed. The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker. The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019. "This strike shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated. British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported. "I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally." During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra. The UN reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.