Combined Anglo-French Aerial Assault Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations estimates Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.