Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.

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

"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

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