Combined British-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."

In December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

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