Combined UK-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."

In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.