British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
