RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were among a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
