Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.

UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he said. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."

In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.