Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."

Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.