Joint British-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," he said. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.