RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
