Coordinated British-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.

UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."

In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.