Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."

Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.