Combined UK-French Airstrike Targets IS Weapons Depot in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."

Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.