Joint British-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.

The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.

UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."

During December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.