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Islamic State
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Britain and France bombed suspected Isis arms dump in Syria: UK defence ministry

Intelligence analysis identified an underground facility believed ‍to contain weapons and explosives in mountains ‍near Palmyra, the UK said

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A UK Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft at an undisclosed location in the Middle East. RAF Typhoon FGR4s joined French aircraft in a joint strike against the Daesh group in Syria on Saturday, the UK defence ministry said. Photo: EPA / SGT Lee Goddard / Handout
Reuters
Britain’s and France’s air forces conducted a joint operation ‍on Saturday evening to bomb a suspected underground arms cache previously used by the Islamic State (Isis) in Syria, Britain’s defence ministry said.
“Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France,” the ministry said in a statement, using the Arabic acronym for Isis.

“This facility had been occupied by Daesh, most likely to store weapons and explosives. The area around the facility is devoid of any civilian habitation.”

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The ministry said there was no indication the bombing north of the ancient site of Palmyra had posed any risk to civilians.

Britain’s Royal Air Force personnel prepare a Typhoon fighter jet for take-off at an undisclosed location in the Middle East on Saturday. Photo: EPA
Britain’s Royal Air Force personnel prepare a Typhoon fighter jet for take-off at an undisclosed location in the Middle East on Saturday. Photo: EPA

“Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility; whilst detailed assessment is now under way, initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully,” Britain’s defence ministry said in a statement.

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All its aircraft had returned safely, the statement added.

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