Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Targets IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several entry passages down to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."

Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.