Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

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

"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

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