Joint British-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."

In December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.