Coordinated British-French Airstrike Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.