Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
