Joint UK-French Air Strike Strikes IS Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."

In December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.