RAF Typhoons joined French aircraft in a joint strike on Saturday evening on an underground facility in Syria which had been occupied by Islamic State (IS), most likely to store weapons and explosives, the Ministry of Defence said.
Guided bombs were used to target a number of access tunnels down to the site, located in the mountains north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria. The facility was identified through intelligence analysis as a former IS weapons and explosives storage site, and the surrounding area is devoid of civilians.
The strike was part of continuing efforts to prevent the terrorist group’s resurgence. The Royal Air Force has maintained regular patrols over Syria since the military defeat of IS at Baghuz Fawqani in March 2019.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East. I want to thank all the members of our Armed Forces involved in this operation – for their professionalism and their courage.”
The Ministry of Defence confirmed there is no indication of any risk having been posed to civilians by the strike, and all aircraft returned safely.
