Joint UK-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."

During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.