🔗 Share this article Joint Anglo-French Air Strike Hits IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD. The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated. There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added. The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane. IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked. RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas." During December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD. The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated. There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added. The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane. IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked. RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said. "I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas." During December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area. The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.