British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
