Coordinated UK-French Airstrike Strikes IS Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."

Last December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.