Combined UK-French Air Strike Strikes IS Arms Cache in Syria

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.

UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.