Combined Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.

The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.