Joint British-French Airstrike Hits IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.

The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

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

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."

In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.