🔗 Share this article Combined UK-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence. The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated. There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated. The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated. RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported. "I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad." In December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The UN says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence. The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region. "Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated. There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated. The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019. "This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated. RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported. "I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad." In December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra. The UN says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.