Joint British-French Airstrike Strikes Daesh Munitions Store in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages leading to the facility... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.

RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."

Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The UN reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.