Coordinated UK-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels down to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.

British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.