Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.

The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the facility... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.

UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."

Last December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.