Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Targets Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages leading to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."

During December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.