Coordinated Anglo-French Air Strike Hits IS Arms Cache in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."

In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.