🔗 Share this article Combined British-French Aerial Assault Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry. The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced. There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added. The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane. The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked. UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad." In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The U.N. estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry. The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced. There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added. The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane. The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked. UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad." In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The U.N. estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.