Joint British-French Airstrike Hits IS Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."

During December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.