Combined UK-French Air Strike Targets Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.