Combined British-French Aerial Assault Strikes Islamic State Arms Cache in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

During December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.