Coordinated Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.