Combined UK-French Aerial Assault Strikes IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.