British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
