Coordinated UK-French Airstrike Strikes IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.

"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

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