RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
