RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
