RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
