RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages down to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
