Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

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

"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," he added. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.