British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
