British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
