Combined UK-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," he said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.