🔗 Share this article Joint UK-French Air Strike Hits IS Weapons Depot in Syria A Typhoon FGR4 from the Royal Air Force (archive image) Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated. There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated. The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker. The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked. UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted. "I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally." Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
A Typhoon FGR4 from the Royal Air Force (archive image) Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated. There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated. The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker. The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked. UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted. "I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally." Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.