Coordinated UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages down to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."

During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.