Joint UK-French Aerial Assault Hits Daesh Arms Cache in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.

The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.

British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.

"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he added. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."

During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.

The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.