Combined British-French Air Strike Strikes Daesh Munitions Store in the Syrian region

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.

There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.

The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.

Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.

"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.

British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.

"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."

Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

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