Coordinated UK-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

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

"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

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