Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
