Joint British-French Airstrike Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.