Joint Anglo-French Aerial Assault Targets Islamic State Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.

The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.

The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.

British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.

"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."

During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The UN estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.