Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Strikes Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey said. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."

Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.