Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
