Joint UK-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.

The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.