Combined UK-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."

In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.