Combined British-French Airstrike Strikes Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.

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

The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I must thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."

In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.