Combined British-French Aerial Assault Hits IS Arms Cache in Syria

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.

British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."

In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.