Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," he said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
