Combined UK-French Air Strike Targets IS Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.