Coordinated Anglo-French Air Strike Targets Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.