Combined UK-French Airstrike Strikes Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."

During December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.