RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
