Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.

The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.

RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."

During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN says IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.