Britain and France Carry Out Airstrikes Against ISIS Sites in Syria
The UK Ministry of Defence announced on Sunday that airstrikes were carried out against sites belonging to the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, as part of a joint operation with France.
In a statement, the ministry said that Royal Air Force aircraft continue to conduct patrols over Syrian territory as part of ongoing efforts to prevent the resurgence of the group, following its military defeat in the town of Baghouz in 2019.
The statement added that intelligence analysis had identified an underground facility in a mountainous area several miles north of the ancient city of Palmyra, which ISIS is believed to have used to store weapons and explosives, noting that the surrounding area is uninhabited.
It explained that Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 jets, supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, participated alongside French aircraft in carrying out a joint airstrike on the facility on the evening of Saturday, 3 January.
According to the statement, British aircraft used Paveway IV precision-guided bombs to target several tunnels leading to the facility. Initial assessments indicate that the operation was successful, with no signs of risks to civilians, and all participating aircraft returned safely.
