Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate 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 made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.