Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.

RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."

Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.