Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Strikes Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."

During December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.