RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
