Coordinated UK-French Airstrike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.

The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to 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 combatants in Syria and Iraq.