Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
