Joint British-French Airstrike Strikes Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.

UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.