Coordinated UK-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Munitions Store in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.

The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.