Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Strikes Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.

The facility, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.

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

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."

In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations says Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.