British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control 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 operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
