Combined British-French Airstrike Strikes Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.

The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.