British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
