Combined Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he added. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.