Coordinated Anglo-French Aerial Assault Strikes Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This action shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

In December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

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