Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Hits IS Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

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

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."

During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.