British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
