Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.

UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," he said. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.