Coordinated UK-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.

The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

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

"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."

During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.