Coordinated UK-French Airstrike Targets IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.

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

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," he said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.