The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Royal Air Force Typhoon jets collaborated with French aircraft in a precision strike against an underground arms cache used by the Islamic State group in Syria.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, careful intelligence led to the assessment that the facility, located in the mountainous region just north of Palmyra, was storing a significant amount of arms and explosives.
Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to effectively target the access tunnels leading down to the facility. Initial reports suggest that the target was successfully engaged, the statement read.
The MoD assured that there were no civilian casualties and all aircraft returned safely after the operation, which occurred late on a Saturday night.
A detailed assessment of the airstrike is currently underway, but officials believe there was significant success in neutralizing the IS threat from this arms cache. The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refueling tanker during the operation.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the UK's commitment to working alongside allies to eliminate any resurgence of IS forces and ideology in the Middle East. He praised the professionalism and courage of the armed forces involved in the operation, particularly given the timing during the Christmas and New Year period.
The RAF maintains a presence over Syria as part of ongoing efforts to prevent IS from regrouping since its territorial defeat in the region in 2019. The United Nations continues to report that IS retains a significant number of fighters in Syria and Iraq.
Healey reaffirmed the importance of military readiness, stating, The actions taken reflect how our armed forces are prepared to respond year-round to threats, ensuring the security of the UK and our global allies. The operation underscores a continued commitment to combatting terrorism and extremism in the region, particularly in the face of reports that IS activities are on the rise once more.
