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RAF carries out strikes against IS underground facility in Syria | World News
British forces have bombed a suspected weapons stockpile previously used by Islamic State in Syria.
RAF Typhoons deployed guided bombs in a joint operation with the French air force on Saturday evening.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said several access tunnels were targeted, located in a mountainous area north of the central ancient city of Palmyra.
The operation aimed to “help prevent any attempted resurgence of the Daesh terrorist movement”. Daesh is another name for Islamic State, often shortened to ISIS or IS.
The facility had been used by IS, most likely to store weapons and explosives, and the surrounding area was devoid of civilians.
There was no indication of any risk to the local population, and all aircraft involved in the operation returned safely.
In December, the US launched strikes in Syria to “eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites”.
The MoD said RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker, joined French aircraft in a joint strike on the underground facility.
“Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility; whilst detailed assessment is now underway, initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully,” the statement added.
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Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation was designed to “eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life”.
“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,” he said in a statement.
Western aircraft have been conducting patrols to stop a resurgence of the Islamist militant group that ruled parts of Syria until 2019.
