British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
