RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
