Combined British-French Air Strike Targets IS Arms Cache in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.

The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages down to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.

RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."

Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.