Coordinated UK-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.

UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

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