Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
