Combined British-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

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

The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."

Last December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.