Joint UK-French Air Strike Strikes Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."

In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.