British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
