RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he said. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
