Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 jets, in conjunction with French aircraft, conducted a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported. The facility, located in the mountains north of Palmyra, was identified by intelligence as storing arms and explosives.

The MoD stated that the aircraft deployed Paveway IV guided bombs to target access tunnels leading to the facility. "Initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the statement read. The operation, which took place late on Saturday, resulted in no reported harm to civilians, and all aircraft returned safely. A Voyager refuelling tanker supported the Typhoon FGR4s during the mission.

IS, also known as Daesh, controlled significant portions of Syria and Iraq until 2019, imposing its jihadist rule. UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the significance of the joint operation. "This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Healey said.

The UK and France have been key members of the international coalition fighting against IS. Despite the group's territorial defeat in 2019, concerns remain about the potential for its resurgence through clandestine operations and the spread of its ideology. The targeted arms cache represented a potential source of weaponry for such activities. The use of precision-guided munitions like the Paveway IV is intended to minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties, reflecting the coalition's commitment to conducting operations in a responsible manner. The MoD will continue to monitor the situation in Syria and work with allies to counter the threat posed by IS.