Royal Air Force jets have carried out a successful strike against a Daesh facility in Syria, working alongside French forces in a coordinated operation, the Ministry of

Defence said.

The operation took place as part of ongoing patrols aimed at preventing any resurgence of the terrorist group, which was militarily defeated at Baghuz Fawqani in March 2019. Intelligence analysis identified an underground site in mountainous terrain several miles north of the ancient city of Palmyra. The facility was believed to have been used by Daesh to store weapons and explosives.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the location was carefully selected due to its isolation, with no civilian habitation in the surrounding area.

On the evening of Saturday, 3 January, RAF Typhoon FGR4 aircraft, supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker, joined French jets in a joint strike on the site. The RAF aircraft deployed Paveway IV precision-guided bombs, targeting several access tunnels leading into the underground complex.

A full assessment of the strike is under way, but initial indications suggest the operation successfully engaged the target. Defence officials said there was no evidence that civilians were placed at risk, and all participating aircraft returned safely from the mission.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP 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.

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”. Photo by Bartek Kozłowiec, Wikimedia commons.