British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages leading to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
