Coordinated British-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank every member of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."

In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.