Combined British-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

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

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.

UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.