Coordinated British-French Airstrike Targets Daesh Arms Cache in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.

The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.