Joint UK-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.

The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."

In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.