Joint Anglo-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."

In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.