Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

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

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - also known as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.

British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.