RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
