RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
