Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages down to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.

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

Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

During December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

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