Joint British-French Airstrike Targets Islamic State Arms Cache in Syria

British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.

The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.

"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.

British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," he said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.