Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Hits IS Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.

The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."

In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.