Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," he commented. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."

In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.