Combined British-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.