RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
