Combined British-French Airstrike Targets IS Munitions Store in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.

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

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.

"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.

British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.

"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."

In December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.