RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages down to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
