Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Strikes IS Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

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

The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.