🔗 Share this article Combined British-French Air Strike Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry. The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced. There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated. The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked. British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported. "I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally." In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra. The United Nations says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry. The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria. "Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced. There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated. The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019. "This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked. British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported. "I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally." In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra. The United Nations says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.