Combined UK-French Airstrike Hits Islamic State Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of approach shafts down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - also known as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."

In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.