Combined British-French Airstrike Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

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

Daesh - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.