Joint British-French Aerial Assault Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.

The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their courage," he added. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.