British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
