British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
