RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
