Combined UK-French Air Strike Hits Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts leading to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."

In December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations says IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.