Joint UK-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank every member of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

During December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.