Coordinated British-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.