Joint British-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels down to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

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

IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

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