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Coordinated British-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Arms Cache in Syria

Typhoon fighter aircraft in flight
A file photo of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.

RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he added. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."

During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.

DT
Written by

Dr. Tony Oneill

Agricultural economist and sustainable farming advocate with over 15 years of experience in UK agribusiness.

HarvestPortal UK

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