Joint British-French Aerial Assault Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The location, located using surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."

During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.