British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
