Combined UK-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The facility, identified by surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."

During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.