RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
