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

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

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

"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.

RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.