Combined British-French Airstrike Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.