RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages leading to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this strike for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
