Coordinated Anglo-French Air Strike Strikes Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.

British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."

During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.