Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."

During December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.