RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
