Combined British-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned 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 hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - also known as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

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