Joint UK-French Airstrike Hits Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.