Coordinated Anglo-French Air Strike Strikes Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.

RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," he added. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.