RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
