Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.

The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.