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

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.