RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
