British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
