Coordinated British-French Aerial Assault Strikes Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels down to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.

UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."

Last December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.