Combined British-French Air Strike Strikes IS Munitions Store in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."

In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.