Coordinated British-French Airstrike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.

The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

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

"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. says Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.