🔗 Share this article Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Arms Cache in Syria An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD. The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region. "Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated. There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated. The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. IS - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse. "This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked. British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally." In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The United Nations reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD. The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region. "Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated. There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated. The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. IS - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse. "This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked. British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally." In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The United Nations reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.