Joint British-French Airstrike Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.

The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," he commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."

In December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.