Joint UK-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."

In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.