Coordinated Anglo-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."

During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations says Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.