Combined UK-French Aerial Assault Hits Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.

The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages leading to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

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

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.

British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."

During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.