Joint British-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Weapons Depot in the Syrian region

British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.

The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages leading to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.

There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.

The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.

UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.

The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.