RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts leading to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
