RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," he commented. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
