RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
