Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

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

"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.