RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels leading to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
