British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
