Combined UK-French Air Strike Targets IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

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

The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The UN says Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.