Joint Anglo-French Airstrike Hits Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.

The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.

UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."

During December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.