RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
