British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
