Joint UK-French Airstrike Hits IS Weapons Depot in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.

The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts down to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."

In December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.