London, January 04 (QNA) – The United Kingdom and France carried out a joint air strike targeting a site in Syria suspected of being linked to ISIS group, the UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Sunday.
The statement added that the strike was conducted on Saturday in the mountains north of the ancient city of Palmyra, central Syria, hitting a facility controlled by the group, which is believed to have been used to store weapons and explosives.
The British aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target several tunnels leading to the facility, without specifying the role of French aircraft in the operation, the statement read.
It further indicated that there is no evidence that civilians were put at risk, noting that assessment is still ongoing, while initial indications suggest the target was successfully engaged.
British Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation reflects the UK’s commitment to working alongside its allies to eliminate any resurgence of ISIS.
ISIS lost its last stronghold at Baghuz Fawqani in Syria in 2019, but experts indicate that the group still maintains sleeper cells in remote areas, especially in the northeast and the mountains surrounding Palmyra.