British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
