Combined UK-French Air Strike Strikes IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels leading to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."

In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.