British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," he said. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
