RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
