Joint UK-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," he commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.