British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
