Joint UK-French Airstrike Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."

In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.