Combined UK-French Air Strike Strikes IS Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he added. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."

In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

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