Coordinated UK-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

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

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

"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.