RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
