Coordinated British-French Aerial Assault Strikes Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.

The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," he said. "They were among a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."

Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.