Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
