Combined UK-French Aerial Assault Strikes IS Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.

UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."

In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.