Combined UK-French Airstrike Strikes Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.