Combined UK-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.