Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Hits IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

During December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.