RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
