Joint British-French Aerial Assault Targets IS Munitions Store in the Syrian region

RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.

The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.

"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.

There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.

The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.

"This operation shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.

UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.

"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.

The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.