Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Strikes Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.