🔗 Share this article Combined UK-French Aerial Assault Hits Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry. The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced. There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added. The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker. The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019. "This action underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated. British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported. "I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally." Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area. The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry. The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced. There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added. The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker. The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019. "This action underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated. British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported. "I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally." Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area. The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.