Coordinated UK-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Munitions Store in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.

The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.

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

Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.

UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

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