Combined UK-French Air Strike Hits IS Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.