Joint UK-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," he added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.