RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
