Combined British-French Aerial Assault Strikes Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to 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 courage," he added. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.