Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

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

Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.