Joint British-French Airstrike Strikes Daesh Munitions Store in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he added. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

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