Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.

The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.