British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
