British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
