RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
