Joint Anglo-French Air Strike Targets Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

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 assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.

RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.