Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

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

The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."

In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.