Joint Anglo-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank every member of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.