Coordinated British-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he said. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."

In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.