Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
