Joint British-French Aerial Assault Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.

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

"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.