RAF Typhoons carried out a joint strike with French aircraft on an underground facility in Syria which had been occupied by Daesh, also known as the Islamic State or ISIS, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has revealed. The daring operation saw RAF Typhoon FGR4s supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker launching the strike on Saturday evening, January 3, alongside France’s air force.
The British warplanes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility, the MOD said in a statement. While an assessment is now underway, “initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully”, the ministry added.
Following the joint strike, all the British aircraft returned safely, the MOD also said.
The facility had been most likely used by ISIS terrorists to store weapons and explosives.
It is located some miles north of the ancient site of Palmyra, desecrated by ISIS in the mid-2010s. The area of the site has been described by the MOD as “devoid of any civilian habitation”, and there is no indication the strike posed any risks to civilians.
The MOD said the operation came as the RAF has continued to conduct patrols over Syria to help prevent any attempted resurgence of ISIS following its military defeat at Baghuz Fawqani in March 2019.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said as the MOD announced the strike: “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.
“They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our Armed Forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
