Coordinated Anglo-French Airstrike Hits IS Munitions Store in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."

During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

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