Combined British-French Airstrike Targets IS Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.

RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.