Combined UK-French Airstrike Strikes IS Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

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

IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.