Coordinated UK-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.

RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.