Combined Anglo-French Airstrike Strikes IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.