RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
