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

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.

The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.

RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.