Coordinated British-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.

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

Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

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