RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
