Combined Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN estimates IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.