Coordinated UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.

The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

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

"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.

UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."

Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.