Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have teamed with French aircraft to execute a strategic strike on an underground arms cache utilized by the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria, as confirmed by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The operation was based on careful intelligence analysis that indicated the facility was storing considerable amounts of arms and explosives, located strategically in the mountainous region just north of Palmyra, a historically significant site in central Syria.
Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target various access tunnels leading into the facility. Initial assessments indicate that the strike successfully engaged the target, stated the Ministry of Defence. The operation was conducted on Saturday, with all aircraft returning safely and no reported harm to civilians.
Further assessments are underway to evaluate the full impact of the airstrikes. Meanwhile, UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that this operation exemplifies the UK's commitment to lead and collaborate with allies in combatting the resurgence of IS and its extremist ideologies in the Middle East.
RAF aircraft have been actively patrolling Syrian airspace to deter any attempts by IS to reestablish their presence following their defeat in 2019.
As per UN reports, IS still maintains a presence with an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 active fighters in Syria and Iraq, underscoring the necessity for persistent military efforts to counter the terrorist threat.
