Combined UK-French Air Strike Hits IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages down to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.

British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.