British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts down to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
