Joint British-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.