British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
