Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Hits IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.

The location, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.

"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.

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

The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

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

"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.

"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," he said. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."

In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.

The U.N. says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.