Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
