RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
