Coordinated British-French Air Strike Strikes Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."

In December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.