RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
