British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
