RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
