Joint UK-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.

RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."

In December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.