Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages down to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
