RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
