British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
