Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
