Joint British-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.