Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

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

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.