Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

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

The United Nations estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.