Coordinated UK-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."

Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.