Coordinated British-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.

The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."

In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.