Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he said. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."

In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.