British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
