Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Strikes IS Arms Cache in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

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

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.