UK and France airstrikes hit underground IS arms bunker near Palmyra

Royal Air Pressure Storm jets have joined French plane in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria utilized by the Islamic State group (IS), the UK Ministry of Defence says.

“Cautious” intelligence evaluation led officers to imagine the power was storing arms and explosives, the assertion stated, and was in mountains simply north of Palmyra, an historical web site in central Syria.

“Our plane used Paveway IV guided bombs to focus on a variety of entry tunnels all the way down to the power… preliminary indications are that the goal was engaged efficiently,” the MoD stated.

There was no signal of any hurt to civilians within the strike late on Saturday and all of the plane returned safely, the MoD added.

Detailed evaluation of the strikes is below manner however officers imagine “the goal was engaged efficiently”.

The Storm FGR4s have been supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

“This motion reveals our UK management, and dedication to face shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and violent ideologies within the Center East,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

RAF plane have carried out patrols over Syria to “forestall any tried resurgence” of IS following its defeat on the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry stated.

“I wish to thank all of the members of our armed forces concerned on this operation for his or her professionalism and their braveness,” Healey stated.

“They have been amongst hundreds of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Yr. This operation, to remove harmful terrorists who threaten our lifestyle, reveals how our armed forces are able to step up, all yr spherical, preserving Britain safe at dwelling and powerful overseas.”

The RAF has been utilizing aerial drones and manned plane to strike IS fighters and targets as a part of the worldwide coalition since 2014.

The United Nations says IS nonetheless has between 5,000 and seven,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.

In November, Syria – below the management of latest President Ahmed al-Sharaa – grew to become the ninetieth nation to join a US-led coalition to combat the group.

The coalition, officers say, is aimed toward eliminating remaining parts of the so-called Islamic State and stemming the movement of overseas militants to the Center East.

Final month, the US navy carried out what it known as a “massive strike” against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush that killed two American troopers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.