Combined Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.

RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," he added. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.