Combined British-French Air Strike Hits Islamic State Munitions Store in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.

The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

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

IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.