🔗 Share this article Combined British-French Airstrike Targets IS Munitions Store in the Syrian region An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry. The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced. There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added. The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated. RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas." Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area. The UN reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
An RAF Typhoon FGR4 (file pic) RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry. The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced. There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added. The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated. RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said. "I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas." Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area. The UN reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.