Combined Anglo-French Aerial Assault Strikes IS Munitions Store in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.

The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

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

IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.