Combined UK-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he added. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."

In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.