Joint British-French Aerial Assault Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.

The location, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

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

Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This action demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."

In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.