Combined Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels down to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday 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 the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.

UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he added. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.