Coordinated UK-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

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

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.