Combined British-French Air Strike Hits IS Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.

The site, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.

RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."

During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.