Joint British-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.

The site, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

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

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.

UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."

In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.