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

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

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

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.

UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."

During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The U.N. says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.