Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Munitions Store in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he said. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."

In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.