British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
