British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
