Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The location, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."

Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations estimates Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.