Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Hits Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.

The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.

IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.

British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.