RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
