British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages down to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
